Caldwell on Wednesday became the 10th and likely last candidate to interview with Dallas owner and general manager Jerry Jones in the search to replace Bill Parcells, who retired Jan. 22.

"It's been a whirlwind. The last 72 hours have been interesting, obviously culminating with a great win and then all the travel in between," Caldwell said after spending about six hours at Valley Ranch. "But it's certainly been well worth it."

While Jones hasn't said when he will name a new coach, Caldwell said he expected the decision to come "in short order. It won't be long."

The search appeared to be winding down last week until Jones, after formally interviewing eight candidates, said he would wait until after the Super Bowl. Then he added two more in the mix to be the Cowboys' seventh coach — the sixth since Jones bought the team in 1989.

San Francisco assistant coach Norv Turner, a two-time head coach and the Cowboys' offensive coordinator for two Super Bowl titles in the 1990s, is still viewed by many as the front-runner for the job.

Jones also interviewed defensive coordinators Wade Phillips of San Diego and Gary Gibbs of New Orleans, and Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary, a 49ers assistant.

Jason Garrett was hired for an unspecified role on the staff, likely as offensive coordinator, but is still considered a candidate for the top job. Three of Parcells' assistants also talked to Jones.

Caldwell was the second Super Bowl assistant coach interviewed. His visit came a day after Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera talked to Jones and other Cowboys officials for about six hours.

"We had a great time. The interview was very thorough," Caldwell said. "We spent a lot of time together and I certainly learned a lot about the organization and I assume that they learned quite a bit about me as well."

The 52-year-old Caldwell has been quarterbacks coach at Indianapolis for five seasons, working directly with Pro Bowl and now Super Bowl MVP quarterback Peyton Manning.

"It's tough for me to take credit for something that's God-given, particularly with Peyton," Caldwell said. "He's a very talented guy and certainly he has a great sort of a foundation from his dad playing the game, and he's a studious individual. I can say this, we certainly were good for one another, but he did most of the legwork."

The Cowboys' next head coach will have a big role in the continued development of Tony Romo, who took over as starting quarterback midway through the season and made the Pro Bowl.

Romo won five of his first six starts before losing four of the last five, including 21-20 to Seattle in the NFC wild-card game. As the holder, Romo bobbled a snap that kept Martin Gramatica from attempting a short field goal that would have put Dallas ahead with a minute remaining.

"He's a guy who has talent, certainly has ability," Caldwell said. "I haven't had an opportunity to study him closely but the organization has and they feel good about him and we would be in position to help him progress.

"My experience over the last few years with a dynamic quarterback in Peyton Manning and also working with Brad Johnson down in Tampa would help me relate to him and give me a decent foundation and a direction that's needed."

Before the Colts, Caldwell spent one year with Tampa Bay after eight seasons as Wake Forest's head coach.

Caldwell interviewed for head coaching jobs in Arizona this year and Buffalo last year.