John Garrett leaves Cowboys to be Buccaneers' WR coach

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have hired John Garrett as their new wide receivers coach, opening up another spot on his brother Jason's Dallas Cowboys coaching staff.

ESPNDallas.com reported the hiring Sunday afternoon, after ESPN's Chris Mortensen had reported earlier in the week that the Cowboys were encouraging tight ends coach and passing game coordinator John Garrett to seek "other employment." John Garrett had reportedly unsuccessfully applied for the vacant Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens head coaching position.

John Garrett's departure leaves Jason Garrett with three vacancies on his own staff for 2013, at running backs coach, tight ends coach and special teams coach.

Garrett had been looking for employment elsewhere for the last two seasons, according to ESPNDallas.com, and had interviewed with the Miami Dolphins for their then-vacant offensive coordinator position. The hiring in Tampa Bay avoids a potentially awkward situation between the Garrett brothers and owner Jerry Jones, who reportedly wanted John out.

The Buccaneers welcome John Garrett, who notably coached five-time Pro Bowler Jason Witten, to a staff that began to turn around the Tampa Bay franchise under first-year coach Greg Schiano in 2012, finishing 7-9.