The Dallas Cowboys have tied the ribbon on another December collapse as the team once again misses the playoffs. This is the franchise's third-consecutive 8-8 finish as they lost the NFC East to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night. Despite the poor performance from everyone involved, owner and king of the Cowboys, Jerry Jones, stresses his confidence in the coaching staff.
Jason Garrett has not overwhelmed Cowboys fans with success. Dallas 29-27 under the head coach after taking over in 2010. As a result, Dallas has missed the playoffs in all four seasons, but Jones stresses that Garrett's job is safe and he stands by his commitment to the head coach. Garrett echoed the words of the owner saying he was not concerned over his job status and he was confident the team would improve. Jones remained non-committal about other staff positions.
"I'm not discussing that at all," Jones said, via ESPN.com. "I have spoken a little more appropriate time here about three or four weeks ago. I said at that time that I was with Jason, that I thought that his future and what he's going to be doing with us was good. But this isn't the time and I don't even like the way it feels or looks to speak to anything about our coaches."
If Garrett is safe, defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin could be on the hot seat. The Cowboys allowed 6,645 yards this season, the third most in NFL history. Jones said that every coach will be evaluated, but noted that the defensive unit suffered too many injuries this year.
Kiffin expressed his desire to come back to the Cowboys. The 73-year-old says retirement is not in the plans and he hopes to remain a coach for many more years.
"I don't plan on retiring, I want to keep on coaching. I really would," Kiffin said. "It's no laughing matter, I'm proud to be a Cowboy. I'd like to get another shot next year, we'll see."
Overall, Jones admitted disappointment in the way the season ended. With Tony Romo out with an injury, Kyle Orton stepped in and tossed a late interception ending the team's chances of a win. Orton admitted the throw was a mistake despite the play working earlier in the game. Jones defended the quarterback the best he could.
"It's extremely disappointing for our fans," Jones said. "I thought Kyle Orton, even though he ended up with the two interceptions, I thought if he could play a game, the way Kyle played tonight, I thought we had a good chance to win it, especially backed up by the kind of defense we played tonight. This is very disappointing."
