ARLINGTON, Texas – Tony Romo has had three head coaches since joining the Dallas Cowboys: Bill Parcells, Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett.

While Parcells groomed him and Phillips let him flourish, Garrett has molded him more than any other coach.

That’s why Romo gushed with praise about what Garrett has meant to the Cowboys this season. With their 42-7 victory Sunday over the Indianapolis Colts, the Cowboys have earned a playoff berth for the first time since Garrett became interim head coach in 2010.

“Jason is the best head coach in the league that no one talks about,” Romo said. “I mean, he’s really gifted at his ability to communicate to his players. He’s got a great mind for the game of football … One of the best things Jerry has done was just stand by him and let his system, his mantra, his philosophy play itself out. I think that you’re seeing the dividends. You’re reaping the rewards of having him stay in place. Jason is going to figure it out. He’s as good of a coach as I’ve ever been around. He’s special.”

Since becoming the Cowboys’ coach on a full-time basis in 2011, Garrett’s future has been non-stop theatre. The Cowboys lost three straight Week 17 games to the New York Giants, Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles to miss the playoffs in his first three seasons.

He entered the season two games over .500 only because of a 5-3 record as the interim coach in 2010.

On Sunday, he became the fifth coach in team history to win 11 games in a season. Tom Landry did it 10 times. Jimmy Johnson did it three times. Barry Switzer and Wade Phillips did it twice. Sunday’s win was the 40th victory of his career. Only Landry (250) and Johnson (44) have more wins in team history than Garrett.

Once Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones gives Garrett a new contract when this season ends, he should pass Johnson early next season.

Jones still wasn’t biting after the game when asked if Garrett was coming back in 2015, even if it is a foregone conclusion. He has consistently said he wants Garrett for the long term.

“One of the things I’m proudest of the success we’re having is how it’s reflected on Jason and his ability to go forward as the fine coach that he is, but he’s developed a lot of skill,” Jones said. “He’s done what all of us do -- he’s improved, improved, improved -- and our fans need to have the advantage of that as we look forward in my mind.”