For All The Dallas Cowboy Fans...Per ESPN.com
IRVING, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones fired coach Wade Phillips on Monday, less than a year after he was given a two-year contract extension for leading the Cowboys to their first playoff win in over a decade.
"An in-season coaching change is not something I've done before, something I was reluctant to do as recently as last week," Jones said. "But I think what's best for the organization and the fans is a coaching change."
Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett takes over on an interim basis.
"I do believe Jason has the temperament, the disposition, to affect the culture to change," Jones said. "I think this is important."
Jones also announced that Paul Pasqualoni will be the Cowboys' new defensive coordinator, taking over the role that Phillips had also been filling. Pasqualoni was the team's defensive line coach.
The end for Phillips came after a 45-7 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night extended Dallas' losing streak to five games as the Cowboys -- who began the season with Super Bowl expectations -- fell to 1-7 overall.
"I am disappointed in the results of this season to this point, but I am also very proud of what our team and our players accomplished in the previous three years," Phillips said in a statement. "In good times and difficult times, our players stuck together and never lost hold of their belief in each other and the strong team bond that they have shared. Family and coaching football have always defined my life and I will always be grateful for my experiences here with the Dallas Cowboys."
Phillips ends his time in Dallas with a 35-23 record, having won two NFC East titles and getting the Cowboys' first playoff victory since 1996. Phillips is 83-65 overall as a head coach.
Jones, who had never fired a coach in-season since purchasing the team in 1989, had said multiple times that Phillips would finish out this season. The owner cited research showing interim coaches are not successful and that was a deterrent for him making the change.
(the Complete Article is on ESPN.com)