Source: Callahan upset if Linehan is hired
By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com
If the Dallas Cowboys hire Scott Linehan as the playcaller, it would upset the current one, Bill Callahan.
A source said Callahan would be opposed to a move and that he would contemplate his future with the Cowboys should it happen. Callahan, who is signed through the 2014 season, became the playcaller in 2013 when Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones wanted to take those duties away from head coach Jason Garrett.
When the source was asked would Callahan be happy with a potential change, the source said, "hell no."
Callahan didn’t respond for comment.
In 2013 the Cowboys finished 16th overall, 24th as a running attack and 14th in passing with Callahan calling the plays. Callahan, who has run the West Coast offense in the past, was making adjustments to calling plays in a timing-based offense, which is something the Cowboys have employed since 2007.
Callahan had his struggles gaining the concepts with the offense, even delaying his vacation last year so he could make sure he had a command of things. Callahan had to not only deal with an offense he wasn't familiar with, but the increased involvement of quarterback Tony Romo, who became more active in game planning in 2013.
Callahan was always complimentary of the chance to call plays, saying the Cowboys were running their offense and not Garrett's.
However, it appears Garrett wasn’t happy with the results and is trying to make changes. At last week’s Senior Bowl practices, Garrett and Jones said Callahan would return but stopped short of saying what his duties would be.
"I wouldn’t address any of that until we finalize everything and we're in the process of that," Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said from the Senior Bowl last week.
According to ESPN's Ed Werder and Chris Mortensen, Jones and Garrett have a disagreement over who the offensive playcaller should be.
The pair are on the verge of a compromise in hiring Linehan, who has a close relationship with Garrett.
One source who expects Linehan to be hired speculated he could have the title of passing game coordinator while also being designated the Cowboys' playcaller. If so, Linehan would become the third different offensive playcaller in three seasons in Dallas, following Garrett and Callahan.
In a setup one source described as "strange" and "dysfunctional," Garrett ceded play-calling authority to Callahan a year ago in what appeared to be a change mandated by Jones.
If Linehan is hired, the Cowboys could make Callahan the run game coordinator and Linehan the passing game coordinator. The Cowboys have employed a similar arrangement in the past.
But this potential move would upset Callahan, who also resides as the offensive line coach. Callahan was given credit for improving the line, which produced left tackle Tyron Smith’s first Pro Bowl selection and saw rookie center and 2013 first-round pick, Travis Frederick have a solid season.