Report: Cowboys discussing hiring former Lions OC Scott Linehan
The Dallas Cowboys won’t be firing head coach Jason Garrett to the chagrin of many fans of the Cowboys, but the team is discussing the possibility of hiring former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan to be the team’s play-caller, according to Ed Werder and Chris Mortensen.
Cowboys are discussing hiring former Lions OC Scott Linehan as their play caller, per @Edwerderespn and @mortreport.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 24, 2014
Linehan was the Lions offensive coordinator from 2009-2013 under Jim Schwartz and after his firing has been looking for work. Previous stops for Linehan include an abbreviated three-year stint as the head coach of the St. Louis Rams and offensive coordinator jobs with the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings.
The 8-8 Cowboys finished as the runner-up in the NFC East in large part because of the shortcomings of the defense which ranked 30th in pass defense and 27th in rush defense.
The offense, while the subject of criticism over Garrett’s in-game coaching, finished fifth in points scored, but had the 14th best passing offense and 24th ranked rushing offense.
A potential hire of Linehan would go a long way toward the faith Jerry Jones has in Garrett’s ability to be field an above-average offense.