[Underdog]

Sources: Jason Garrett the favorite

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PHILADELPHIA -- Dallas Cowboys interim coach Jason Garrett is the leading candidate to become the full-time coach, according to multiple sources.

Garrett, who replaced Wade Phillips on Nov. 8, is under contract to the team as an assistant coach through the 2011 season. His contract as an interim coach expires a few days after the regular-season finale.

The Cowboys denied an NFL Network report that Garrett has been named the coach.

Cowboys officials can't name Garrett the coach until they go through a process that includes interviewing a minority candidate.

John Wooten, chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, said the Cowboys have not yet compiled with the Rooney Rule. The Alliance follows minority hiring and gives teams a list of coaches to interview. Wooten said Ray Sherman, whom the Cowboys have yet to interview, is on their list of coaching candidates.

Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones said he plans on interviewing Sherman, the Cowboys wide receivers coach, and another minority candidate for the job. Jones, who interviewed 10 candidates in 2007 before hiring Phillips, said he doesn't plan on doing that again.

Sherman had not been interviewed for the job as of Sunday morning, a source said.

With the season coming to a close, it appears Garrett might become a hot coaching candidate. He's currently 4-3 as the interim coach and has changed the culture around Valley Ranch.

San Francisco, Carolina, Denver, Dallas and Minnesota are expected to have coaching openings when the regular season ends. Several other teams, Cincinnati, Miami, Houston, Oakland, Cleveland and the New York Giants could also make coaching changes.

"If I have the ability to go interview, the requirement to go interview, then logic would tell you he must have the right to be able to interview," Jones said of the possibility that Garrett will interview elsewhere.

Jones said last Monday that he doesn't have a timetable on naming his next coach.

The Cowboys play the Philadelphia Eagles in the team's season finale on Sunday.

I still prefer Cowher, but this team's problems run A LOT deeper than head coach, so whatever - if it wasn't for Fantasy Football, I'd be rooting for a lockout...