Since 1996, the Dallas Cowboys have undergone numerous changes in leadership, particularly with their head coaches. The franchise has experienced an undeniable lack of success in the post-Jimmy Johnson era, despite having some talented teams. Head coaching decisions have played a crucial role in the Cowboys’ fortunes—or lack thereof—and among these coaches, Mike McCarthy, who took over in 2020, represents a continuation of the struggle for sustained success.
This essay will explore the trajectory of the Cowboys’ coaching staff since 1996, detailing the reasons behind their lack of consistent success and examining Mike McCarthy’s tenure as the latest chapter in this saga.
1. The Departure of Jimmy Johnson (1994) and the Beginning of Struggles (1996)
Jimmy Johnson, the architect of the Cowboys’ dominance in the 1990s, left the team after the 1993 season. Under his leadership, Dallas won two Super Bowls in 1992 and 1993, alongside a third under Barry Switzer in 1995. However, Johnson’s decision to leave the team after a bitter falling out with owner Jerry Jones marked the beginning of a new era—one that has been defined by inconsistent performance and poor coaching choices.
After Johnson’s departure, Jerry Jones hired Barry Switzer, who had previously been successful with the University of Oklahoma Sooners. Switzer did win the Super Bowl in his first season in 1995, but his success was largely built on the foundation laid by Johnson. Switzer’s lack of long-term success with the Cowboys became evident as his time with the team progressed. The Cowboys saw a decline in performance, and in 1997, Switzer left the Cowboys.
2. The Struggles of Chan Gailey (1998–1999)
In 1998, Jerry Jones hired Chan Gailey as the Cowboys’ head coach. Gailey inherited a team that was struggling to find its identity in the post-Switzer era. While Gailey led the team to the playoffs in 1998 and 1999, the Cowboys failed to make significant playoff runs during his tenure. Gailey’s inability to get the most out of the team’s talent led to his departure after the 1999 season.
Gailey’s era is often remembered as a brief period of mediocrity, and his coaching approach didn’t seem to resonate with the team. While the Cowboys remained competitive, they were never quite able to push deep into the postseason, and that inability to take the next step in the playoffs contributed to Gailey’s exit.
3. The Dave Campo Era (2000–2002)
In 2000, Jones hired Dave Campo as the Cowboys’ next head coach. Campo, who had been a defensive coordinator under Jimmy Johnson, was considered by many to be an untested head coach at the time. Unfortunately, Campo’s tenure was marked by disappointment. The Cowboys went a combined 15–33 during his three-year run, and Campo’s lack of experience at the head coaching level became apparent.
Campo struggled to develop a consistent game plan and lacked the leadership skills needed to turn around the team. Despite some flashes of promise—such as a solid defense—the Cowboys were never able to get over the hump under Campo. His inability to produce results led to his dismissal following the 2002 season.
4. Bill Parcells and the Return of Stability (2003–2006)
After a few years of instability, Jerry Jones hired Bill Parcells in 2003. Parcells, a highly respected coach with a proven track record in both New York and New England, was expected to bring stability and a winning culture back to Dallas. In his first season, Parcells led the Cowboys to a respectable 10-6 record and to the playoffs. Under Parcells, the team’s defense improved, and he helped develop players like quarterback Tony Romo, running back Julius Jones, and wide receiver Terrell Owens.
However, despite making the playoffs in 2003 and 2004, the Cowboys were never able to make a deep playoff run under Parcells. The 2006 season saw a solid 9-7 record, but the team failed to capture the NFC East title or make a serious postseason push. After a series of disappointing playoff exits, Parcells decided to retire from coaching in 2007, and his tenure was considered a mixed bag—he had made the Cowboys more competitive but never elevated them to championship contention.
5. The Wade Phillips Era (2007–2010)
In 2007, Jerry Jones hired Wade Phillips, a former defensive coordinator, to replace Parcells. Phillips brought a different approach to the Cowboys and led the team to a 13-3 record in his second season, the best regular-season record in franchise history at the time. However, despite the regular-season success, the Cowboys struggled in the playoffs, particularly in 2007, when they were upset by the New York Giants in the NFC Divisional Round.
In 2010, the Cowboys were off to a disastrous start, and Phillips was fired midway through the season after a 1-7 start. Despite Phillips’ regular-season success, his inability to perform when it mattered most in the postseason led to his departure. The Cowboys needed a coach who could deliver in the postseason, and Phillips wasn’t that coach.
6. The Jason Garrett Era (2010–2019)
After Phillips’ firing in 2010, Jerry Jones promoted offensive coordinator Jason Garrett to head coach. Garrett, a former backup quarterback for the Cowboys, was well-liked by players and had a reputation for being a disciplined coach. Under Garrett, the Cowboys had mixed results. The team showed flashes of greatness, but they were inconsistent and failed to make significant playoff runs.
Garrett’s tenure was marked by an inability to consistently win in crucial moments, particularly in the postseason. The Cowboys made the playoffs several times during Garrett’s time as head coach, but they never advanced beyond the divisional round. A particularly notable playoff loss came in 2014, when a controversial no-catch ruling on a pass to Dez Bryant in the divisional playoff game against the Green Bay Packers helped end the Cowboys’ Super Bowl hopes. This loss, among others, exemplified Garrett’s failure to elevate the team when it mattered most.
While Garrett helped develop quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott, his inability to win the big game ultimately led to his firing in 2019.
7. The Mike McCarthy Era (2020–Present)
In 2020, Jerry Jones hired Mike McCarthy, the former Super Bowl-winning coach of the Green Bay Packers, to replace Garrett. McCarthy’s tenure was seen as a fresh start for the Cowboys, bringing in a coach with championship pedigree. However, McCarthy’s start to his tenure in Dallas was rocky. The Cowboys endured a disastrous 2020 season, plagued by injuries—including a devastating ankle injury to Dak Prescott—that derailed their season.
In 2021, McCarthy helped the Cowboys return to the playoffs, though they were eliminated in the first round by the San Francisco 49ers. The 2022 season was another year of promise, as the Cowboys won 12 games and made it to the NFC Divisional Round, but once again fell short in a postseason loss. McCarthy’s inability to lead the Cowboys to a deep playoff run has been a constant source of frustration for the fan base.
While McCarthy has managed to keep the Cowboys competitive and improved their overall record, he has faced criticism for questionable decisions in big games, particularly in the postseason. There are still questions surrounding his ability to take the team to a Super Bowl, and his tenure has been defined by more near-misses rather than tangible success.
8. The Impact of Jerry Jones’ Ownership
One of the key factors behind the Cowboys’ lack of sustained success under various head coaches is Jerry Jones’ role as the team’s owner and general manager. Jones, who bought the team in 1989, has a strong personality and a hands-on approach to team management, which can sometimes lead to conflicts with coaches. Jones’ penchant for making personnel decisions and his involvement in day-to-day football operations have at times undermined the authority of his coaches, making it difficult for them to build and execute long-term strategies.
Jones’ vision for the Cowboys has often clashed with that of his head coaches, and this dissonance has contributed to the team’s inability to consistently perform. The pressure of living up to the high expectations set by Jones and the Cowboys’ fan base has proven to be a significant obstacle for head coaches looking to bring sustained success to Dallas.
9. Looking Ahead: What Does the Future Hold?
As of 2025, the Cowboys’ search for a championship continues under Mike McCarthy, but questions about the team’s direction persist. Despite having talent on both sides of the ball, the Cowboys have yet to recapture the success they had during the 1990s. The team’s inability to make significant playoff progress over the last 30 years is a constant source of frustration.
For the Cowboys to reclaim their former glory, they will need to overcome a combination of coaching misfires, injuries, and the ever-present shadow of Jerry Jones’ influence. Whether McCarthy can break the cycle of disappointment remains to be seen, but the pressure on him—and any future coach—is likely to remain immense as the Cowboys continue their search for their first Super Bowl in nearly three decades.
In conclusion, the Dallas Cowboys have had a series of head coaching failures since 1996, with Mike McCarthy being the latest in a long line of coaches who have struggled to bring the team back to its former championship level. The franchise’s inability to secure sustained success under various leaders, combined with internal dynamics involving Jerry Jones, has kept the Cowboys from achieving their ultimate goal: a return to the Super Bowl. Whether McCarthy can finally lead the team to that elusive championship remains one of the biggest questions facing the Cowboys moving forward.
