IRVING, Texas -- When the Dallas Cowboys offense struggled in 2013, Jason Garrett assumed control of the play selection from Bill Callahan.

The Cowboys offense has been among the league’s worst this season -- they’ve scored one touchdown or less in each of the last five games -- but Garrett said he’s never considered taking the play-calling duties from Scott Linehan.

Why not?

“I have great faith and trust in Scott Linehan,” said Garrett, “and what he can do for our offense."

Besides, Linehan is more than an assistant coach, he’s been Garrett’s friend and mentor since they were on the Miami Dolphins staff in 2005. Linehan, the offensive coordinator, essentially gave Garrett his first coaching opportunity in the NFL by recommending him to then-coach Nick Saban.

As for Callahan, Garrett never wanted to give up play-calling after the 2012 season. That was a directive from owner /general manager Jerry Jones following a second consecutive 8-8 season.

Garrett trusts Linehan implicitly. He never really trusted Callahan to run the offense. After all, he was a guy who spent his career in the West Coast offense and was trying to learn the nuances of the timing-based passing offense the Cowboys use.

That said, the Cowboys are on pace to set lows in points (264), passing yards (203.9), total yards (323.3), red-zone touchdown percentage (41.4) and pass plays of more than 20 yards (34) since Garrett arrived as offensive coordinator in 2007.

Obviously, Linehan has been hampered by having Tony Romo start and finish just two games. The Cowboys have used four quarterbacks, who have combined to throw 13 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.

Dez Bryant has also been hampered much of the season with foot, ankle and knee injuries, establishing career lows in receptions, yards and touchdowns before the Cowboys placed him on injured reserve this week.

Garrett saw what Linehan could do with an array of weapons last season, when the Cowboys scored 467 points and averaged 383.6 yards per game.

“I understand the kind of coach he’s been for a long time,” Garrett said. “I know the impact he had on our offense last year. I know the impact he’s had on offenses throughout his career.

“There have been a lot of different circumstances we’ve had to deal with as a team this year. There are no excuses for anybody and we recognize that more than anybody, but I do believe you look at the body of work and you stand by him and your core convictions and beliefs regardless of the external circumstances."