In a surprising admission, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones expressed regret over his decision to replace head coach Wade Phillips with Jason Garrett back in 2010. Reflecting on the pivotal moment in Cowboys history, Jones revealed that he may have made a crucial error by not taking Phillips’ advice more seriously before parting ways with the experienced coach.
At the time, Phillips, who had led the Cowboys to multiple playoff appearances, requested improvements in personnel and sought to assume the role of defensive coordinator in addition to head coach. His intent was to strengthen the Cowboys’ defense, which had been struggling, and regain control of a team that had faltered after a strong start to his tenure. However, Jones declined the request, opting instead to promote offensive coordinator Jason Garrett to head coach—a decision that would have long-lasting implications for the Cowboys organization.
Phillips, known for his defensive prowess, quickly found a new home as the defensive coordinator for the Denver Broncos. His expertise proved invaluable, and he played a pivotal role in transforming the Broncos’ defense into one of the most formidable units in NFL history. Under Phillips’ leadership, Denver’s defense was instrumental in their Super Bowl 50 victory, where they stifled the high-powered offense of the Carolina Panthers. Many analysts and players alike have credited Phillips for masterminding the defensive schemes that secured the championship.
During his tenure in Denver, Phillips revived his reputation as one of the NFL’s premier defensive minds, further cementing his legacy. Meanwhile, the Cowboys under Garrett experienced mixed results. Despite some regular-season success, including a handful of playoff appearances, Garrett never managed to lead the team to a deep postseason run, and his tenure was often criticized for underachievement given the talent on the roster.
Jones’ admission highlights what many Cowboys fans have felt for years—that perhaps the franchise missed a golden opportunity to build something special under Phillips’ leadership. The decision to replace him with Garrett, a coach with limited experience at the time, now seems like a move that hindered the team’s potential for greater success.
“It’s one of those decisions you look back on and wonder if things could have been different,” Jones said in a recent interview. “Wade had a vision for the team, and in hindsight, I should have considered his requests more seriously.”
The regret surrounding the handling of Phillips’ departure is compounded by the fact that the Cowboys have struggled to find consistent success in the postseason since his exit. While Garrett’s long tenure brought moments of promise, it lacked the significant breakthroughs that many had hoped for. On the other hand, Phillips’ Super Bowl ring with Denver stands as a testament to what could have been had Jones allowed him to reshape the Cowboys’ defense and remain at the helm.
This revelation adds another layer to the complex history of the Dallas Cowboys’ coaching decisions, sparking discussions among fans and analysts about what could have been if Wade Phillips had stayed on board to implement his vision for the team. With Jones now publicly reflecting on that decision, it’s clear that the Cowboys owner understands the weight of that moment in the team’s history.
