Cowboys’ Jason Garrett Named 2016 NFL Coach Of The Year By PFWA

Although the Dallas Cowboys missed out on a Super Bowl appearance this season, Jason Garrett can be happy for at least one reason.

Cowboys’ Jason Garrett Named 2016 NFL Coach Of The Year By PFWA

Garrette, 50, was named 2016 NFL Coach of the Year by the Pro Football Writers of America.

The coach led Dallas to a 13-3 regular-season record for the top seed in the NFC. Only the AFC’s New England Patriots (14-2) finished with a stronger record.

The award was a first for Garrett and the third for the Cowboys, whose legendary coach Tom Landry was the PFWA’s first honoree in 1966.

This season, the Cowboys overcame veteran quarterback Tony Romo’s pre-season back injury thank to rookie Dak Prescott, who was named the starting QB, and to fellow rookie Ezekiel Elliott, who is poised to become one of the top running backs in the league. Prescott and Elliott helped push Dallas to a franchise-best 11 straight victories, their only three losses coming against the New York Giants (twice, once in Week 1) and the Philadelphia Eagles (once in the season finale).

Dallas fell to Green Bay 34-31 in the last seconds of Sunday’s thrilling divisional round game.

The PFWA also named Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie, who guided the Raiders back to the playoffs for the first time since 2002, top executive of 2016.

Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan was named assistant coach of the year by the media panel.

Shanahan is rumored to become the new head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, though he won’t be able to formally agree on a deal with them until the Falcons’ playoff run has finished. They next face the Packers in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.

ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 18: Head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys questions a call by the officials during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium on December 18, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)