WADE PHILLIPS TO RETURN AS DALLAS COWBOYS HEAD COACH

Despite a season ending 34-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, reports suggest that Dallas Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones has decided to retain head coach Wade Phillips for the 2010 season.  There had been some speculation that Phillips’ job was in jeopardy as the Cowboys struggled midway through the season, but a late season surge and a return to the playoffs apparently convinced the notoriously demanding team owner to bring him back for another shot.

The next question will concern Phillips’ long term future in Dallas, and obviously much of that will hinge on his performance next season.  The Cowboys have a $3 million option for the 2010 season, but so far have given no indication whether or not they’ll extend his deal beyond next year.  Though no official announcement has been made concerning Phillips’ future nor is one immediately forthcoming sources close to the team have confirmed that Phillips will remain in charge of both the team and the defense.  He was the only NFL head coach to also serve as the team’s defensive coordinator in 2009.

Team owner Jones had suggested that Phillips was likely to return for the past several weeks.  That was before the non-competitive loss to the Vikings on Sunday, but that disappointment wasn’t sufficient to outweigh the positives from the 2009 season.  After the loss in Minnesota a number of his players lobbied on Phillips’ behalf including quarterback Tony Romo:

"His record speaks for itself. He's done a great job, kept the team together through a lot of tough times this year. He's done a fantastic job as coach of the Cowboys. I think it's always important to continue to have the same system in place. For players, it goes a long way to continue to build and continue to improve, because the system is a big part of it."

Linebacker Bradie James also had positive words for his coach:

"It just wouldn't make any sense to let him go right now, with just the way that we played, the way that we ended the season. I don't think that's broken."

Strong safety Gerald Sensabaugh concurred:

"He does a great job of coaching. You've seen the strides this team has taken from the beginning of this season to the end. He's a great coach. It's good to play for a guy like Wade."

Phillips isn’t the only Cowboy to get a second chance.  Reports also indicate that wide receiver Roy Williams will return to the team.  Williams was a non-factor most of the season and failed to catch a pass against the Vikings on Sunday.