Jerry Jones made it clear Friday that the role of Dallas Cowboys head coach remains a hot commodity around the NFL.
On his weekly KRLD-FM radio show, the Cowboys owner gave some insight into the hours leading up to Monday's news conference announcing Jason Garrett as interim head coach in place of the fired Wade Phillips.
"I will say that before I made the decision with Wade Phillips, I had Super Bowl-winning coaches solicit this job," Jones said.
Jones declined to elaborate on who contacted the Cowboys, suggesting it would be disrespectful to Garrett.
Jones, who also serves as team president and general manager, fired Phillips after an ugly Sunday night loss to the Green Bay Packers. Garrett has been the team's offensive coordinator, a role he will continue to serve.
According to Jones, this isn't the first time the Cowboys have been contacted by established coaches in regard to a vacant head-coaching job. He cited Bill Parcells in the wake of the firing of Dave Campo after the 2002 season.
"Bill Parcells came to me," Jones said. "He solicited the job of the Dallas Cowboys."
Garrett has an extensive history with the Cowboys, both as a player and coach. He was a backup quarterback behind Troy Aikman from 1993 to 1999. After his playing career ended, Garrett was quarterbacks coach for the Miami Dolphins in 2005 and 2006 before rejoining the Cowboys in 2007.
Garrett has had the title of assistant head coach since 2008, when he withdrew from other interviews to remain in Dallas. His father, Jim, spent 22 years in the organization, working for every coach but Phillips. Two of Jason's brothers are on his staff: John, the tight ends coach, and Judd, the director of pro scouting.
Jones said Garrett will get his shot to keep the job.
"How the team responds, what we can do on a player-by-player basis that has an uptick to it, all of those things will weigh into it," Jones said. "I do not have a won-loss type percentage in mind that impacts what I do in the future."
Jones referenced former NFL coach and television personality John Madden when asked if there's a type of coach he seeks.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
