Jason Garrett wasn’t even good enough to coach at Duke

Former Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett was in the mix to be the next coach at Duke University, but ultimately was turned down.

Garrett reportedly considered taking a step down to the collegiate level after being fired as New York Giants offensive coordinator. Reports surfaced that he was even the frontrunner for the gig.

Garrett had never coached in college before, a fact that may have cost him in the end. Duke instead reportedly went with Texas A&M DC Mike Elko, per Pete Thamel of Yahoo.

The 55-year-old Garrett released a statement last month after being fired by the Giants. He’s expressed interest in remaining in the coaching ranks, if possible.

“Today is certainly disappointing, but I want to say how truly grateful I am to the Mara and the Tisch families for giving me the opportunity to coach for their New York Giants,” Garrett said. “They represent all that is good about the NFL. I also want to thank the Giants’ coaches and staff for their hard work and their unwavering kindness to my wife Brill and me.”

Duke football: Blue Devils shy away from Jason Garrett

Duke went with experience — at least in terms of having coached in college before — over actual head coaching experience in the NFL. Garrett coached the Dallas Cowboys from 2011-2019. His overall record was 85-67 in the regular season.

Garrett ultimately was a disappointment by the end of his tenure in Dallas. When he took over initially as interim man in 2010, he was considered a fresh offensive mind. As a head coach, he frequently got in his own way.

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