Jason Calvin Garrett is a former American football player and coach who spent his career in the NFL. He initially served as a quarterback before transitioning into coaching. Notably, he held the position of head coach for the Dallas Cowboys for over nine seasons, from 2010 to 2019.
March 28, 1966: Birth of Jason Garrett
Jason Calvin Garrett was born on March 28, 1966.
1984: Jason Garrett Graduates from University School
Jason Garrett graduated from University School in 1984 where he played football, basketball, and baseball.
1985: Jason Garrett Transfers to Columbia University
Following his father becoming the head coach at Columbia University, Jason Garrett transferred there in 1985.
1986: Jason Garrett Transfers to Princeton University
Jason Garrett and his brother transferred to Princeton University in 1986, but he did not play varsity football due to transfer rules.
1986: Jason Garrett Sits Out Football Season Due to Transfer Rules
Jason Garrett was unable to play during the 1986 season because of NCAA transfer rules.
1988: Jason Garrett Sets Ivy League Record for Completion Percentage
In 1988, Jason Garrett set the Ivy League record for career completion percentage.
1989: Jason Garrett Signs with New Orleans Saints as Undrafted Free Agent
After going undrafted in the 1989 NFL Draft, Jason Garrett signed with the New Orleans Saints.
1989: Jason Garrett Graduates from Princeton University
Jason Garrett graduated from Princeton University in 1989 with a degree in history.
September 3, 1990: New Orleans Saints Waive Jason Garrett
Jason Garrett was let go by the New Orleans Saints on September 3, 1990.
June 4, 1991: Ottawa Rough Riders Sign and Release Jason Garrett
Jason Garrett was briefly signed by the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League on June 4, 1991, but they released him in August.
1991: Jason Garrett Plays for San Antonio Riders
Jason Garrett joined the San Antonio Riders of the World League of American Football in 1991, but a separated shoulder impacted his season.
1992: Jason Garrett Wins Super Bowl XXVII with the Cowboys
Jason Garrett was part of the Dallas Cowboys team that won Super Bowl XXVII in 1992.
1992: Jason Garrett Joins Dallas Cowboys
Jason Garrett signed with the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent in 1992, where his father was part of the scouting department.
1993: Jason Garrett Steps in as Cowboys Quarterback Due to Aikman's Injury
Jason Garrett took over as the starting quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys during the 1993 season after Troy Aikman suffered a hamstring injury.
1993: Jason Garrett Wins Super Bowl XXVIII with the Cowboys
Jason Garrett was part of the Dallas Cowboys team that won Super Bowl XXVIII in 1993.
1994: Jason Garrett Leads Cowboys to Comeback Victory on Thanksgiving
Jason Garrett had a career highlight on Thanksgiving Day in 1994, leading the Dallas Cowboys to a come-from-behind win against the Green Bay Packers.
1995: Jason Garrett Wins Super Bowl XXX with the Cowboys
Jason Garrett was part of the Dallas Cowboys team that won Super Bowl XXX in 1995.
1998: Jason Garrett Fills in for Injured Troy Aikman
With Troy Aikman sidelined due to a broken clavicle in 1998, Jason Garrett became the Dallas Cowboys' starting quarterback.
1999: Jason Garrett Starts for the Cowboys
Jason Garrett started two games as quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys in 1999.
2000: Jason Garrett's Ivy League Completion Percentage Record Broken
Gavin Hoffman surpassed Jason Garrett's Ivy League record for single-season completion percentage in 2000.
2000: Jason Garrett Signs with the New York Giants
Jason Garrett joined the New York Giants as a free agent in 2000 to serve as the backup to starting quarterback Kerry Collins.
February 27, 2002: New York Giants Release and Re-sign Jason Garrett
The New York Giants released Jason Garrett on February 27, 2002, but then re-signed him later that year.
2003: Jason Garrett Serves as Third-String Quarterback for Giants
Jason Garrett was the third-string quarterback for the New York Giants in 2003.
March 15, 2004: Jason Garrett Signs with Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jason Garrett signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on March 15, 2004.
November 24, 2004: Jason Garrett Signs with Miami Dolphins
Jason Garrett signed with the Miami Dolphins on November 24, 2004.
2005: Jason Garrett Begins Coaching Career with Miami Dolphins
Jason Garrett transitioned into coaching after his playing career, becoming the quarterbacks coach for the Miami Dolphins in 2005.
January 2007: Garrett Hired by Dallas Cowboys as Offensive Coordinator
In January 2007, Jason Garrett was hired by the Dallas Cowboys to be their offensive coordinator. Under his guidance, the Cowboys achieved the second-best offense in the NFL, finishing with a 13–3 record.
January 2008: Garrett Remains with Cowboys Despite Head Coaching Offers
In January 2008, Jason Garrett interviewed for head coaching jobs with the Baltimore Ravens and the Atlanta Falcons. Despite receiving offers from both, he chose to remain with the Dallas Cowboys. His salary for the 2008 season was nearly $3 million, the highest for an assistant coach in the NFL at the time.
December 29, 2008: Detroit Lions Seek Garrett for Head Coaching Role
On December 29, 2008, the Detroit Lions received permission to speak to Jason Garrett regarding the team's head coaching vacancy, as reported by ESPN sources.
2008: Garrett's Thanksgiving Game Ranked Among Top Texas Stadium Moments
ESPN recognized Jason Garrett's impressive Thanksgiving 1994 game as one of the top moments in Texas Stadium history in 2008.
January 2009: Garrett Interviewed by Denver Broncos and St. Louis Rams
In January 2009, Jason Garrett was interviewed by the Denver Broncos as a potential replacement for Mike Shanahan. He was also a finalist for the St. Louis Rams' head coaching position but did not get the job.
November 8, 2010: Garrett Named Interim Head Coach of Cowboys
On November 8, 2010, Jason Garrett was named interim head coach of the Dallas Cowboys after Wade Phillips was fired following a poor start to the season.
2010: Jason Garrett Becomes Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys
Jason Garrett began his tenure as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys in 2010.
January 6, 2011: Garrett Officially Named Head Coach of Cowboys
On January 6, 2011, Jason Garrett was officially named the eighth head coach in Dallas Cowboys history. He was the first head coach born after the team was founded in 1960 and the first former Cowboys player to hold the position.
2014: Garrett Leads Cowboys to NFC East Title
In 2014, Jason Garrett experienced head-coaching success as the Cowboys finished atop the NFC East with a 12–4 record. The team was undefeated on the road and won the Wild Card Round against the Detroit Lions but lost in the Divisional Round to the Green Bay Packers.
January 13, 2015: Garrett Signs Five-Year Contract with Cowboys
On January 13, 2015, Jason Garrett agreed to a five-year, $30 million contract with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, securing his position in Dallas.
2016: Garrett Named NFL Coach of the Year
In 2016, Jason Garrett led the Cowboys to a 13–3 record with the help of rookie quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott. The team earned the #1 seed in the NFC but was upset in the playoffs by the Green Bay Packers. Garrett was named the NFL Coach of the Year.
2017: Cowboys Miss Playoffs
In 2017, the Dallas Cowboys finished with a 9–7 record and missed the playoffs. This was partially due to star running back Ezekiel Elliott being suspended for six games.
2018: Cowboys Win NFC East Title
In 2018, the Cowboys recovered from a 3–5 start to win seven of their last eight games, clinching the NFC East title. They won the Wild Card Round against the Seattle Seahawks but lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional Round.
2019: Cowboys Miss Playoffs Despite Strong Start
In 2019, the Cowboys finished with an 8–8 record and missed the playoffs. They had led the NFC East until a crucial loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16.
2019: End of Jason Garrett's Tenure with the Dallas Cowboys
Jason Garrett's time as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys ended in 2019.
January 5, 2020: Garrett's Contract with Cowboys Not Renewed
On January 5, 2020, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones announced that Jason Garrett's contract would not be renewed. Garrett ended his tenure with an 85–67 regular-season record and a 2–3 playoff record.
January 17, 2020: Garrett Joins New York Giants as Offensive Coordinator
On January 17, 2020, Jason Garrett was hired by the New York Giants as their offensive coordinator under new head coach Joe Judge.
December 2020: Garrett Tests Positive for COVID-19
In December 2020, Jason Garrett tested positive for COVID-19 and missed the Giants' Week 15 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
November 23, 2021: Garrett Fired by New York Giants
On November 23, 2021, Jason Garrett was fired by the New York Giants. Following his dismissal, he was rumored to be a frontrunner for the head coaching job at Duke University, but the position ultimately went to Mike Elko.
April 12, 2022: Garrett Joins NBC Sports
On April 12, 2022, it was announced that Jason Garrett would become an analyst for NBC Sports broadcasts of the United States Football League. Later, he joined Notre Dame Football on NBC and NBC Sunday Night Football.
December 2022: Garrett Finalist for Stanford Head Coaching Job
In December 2022, Jason Garrett interviewed for the head coaching job at Stanford and was named a finalist. He ultimately decided to remain with NBC as a studio analyst.
2022: Jason Garrett Joins NBC Sports as a Commentator
In 2022, Jason Garrett transitioned to a broadcasting role, becoming a color commentator for NBC Sports.