Jason Garrett went directly from NFL quarterback to coaching the position when his playing days ended. History appears ready to repeat itself on Garrett’s staff with the Dallas Cowboys.
A source told Sporting News that Kellen Moore is expected to retire and become the Cowboys’ new quarterbacks coach.
The possibility of Moore making the move was the subject of Cowboys media speculation this past week following the departure of quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson, a move first forecast last Monday by Sporting News. Wilson’s contract is expiring and will not be renewed.
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Moore is only 28 in comparison to Garrett, who was 39 when hired as Miami’s quarterbacks coach in 2005 by then-Dolphins head coach Nick Saban. Moore, though, has spent five of his six NFL seasons under the tutelage of Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, dating back to when both began working together with the Detroit Lions in 2012.
That relationship gives Moore intimate knowledge of Linehan’s offensive system.
Moore’s background also gives him a solid foundation to begin a coaching career. His father Tom won four state championships and 21 league titles as head coach at Prosser High School in Washington.
Moore was released by the Cowboys during the 2017 season. All three of his career NFL appearances came with Dallas in 2015 when replacing an injured Tony Romo (collarbone). Moore went 0-2 as a starter with four touchdowns, six interceptions and a 58.7 completion percentage.
Moore entered the 2016 season as Romo’s backup but suffered a broken leg early in training camp. That opened the door for then-rookie Dak Prescott to play when Romo injured his back later in the preseason. Prescott kept hold of the job, Romo retired in the 2017 offseason and Moore never played in the regular season again.
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Provided the hiring is finalized, Moore would now be responsible for spearheading Prescott’s ongoing NFL development.
Moore was one of the most prolific quarterbacks in college football history, becoming the first to ever win 50 games during his time at Boise State. He went undrafted largely because of concerns about his size — he carries 200 pounds on a lean, 6-foot frame — and arm strength.
