IRVING, Texas (AP) – Dallas coach Jason Garrett fielded questions about his shaky job security for two years before breaking through with the first trip to the playoffs for the Cowboys since 2009.
Now he’s all but guaranteed to have the second-longest coaching tenure for the storied franchise behind Tom Landry, the only coach the Cowboys knew for their first 29 years.
Garrett has a new five-year contract, and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli is also coming back on a three-year deal, a person with knowledge of both agreements told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had yet to announce the deals.
Garrett will make about $6 million annually – roughly $30 million in total value – after just completing his first contract, at four years and $20 million.
The Cowboys broke through a three-year rut of 8-8 seasons that ended with losses that kept them out of the playoffs by winning the NFC East at 12-4. Dallas beat Detroit in the wild-card round before last weekend’s 26-21 divisional round loss at Green Bay.