Since the Dallas Cowboys’ last Super Bowl victory in 1995, the team has faced a number of challenges, including a series of unsuccessful coaching tenures. These coaches were tasked with restoring the Cowboys to their former glory, but despite various efforts, the franchise has yet to capture another championship. Among these coaches is Mike McCarthy, who assumed the role in 2020, following a tumultuous period for the team. In this article, we will explore the journey of the Cowboys since 1996, examining the various head coaches who have come and gone, the challenges they faced, and the impact they had on the franchise.
1. The Post-Super Bowl Era (1996–2000)
Following the Cowboys’ last Super Bowl win in 1995, the team experienced a decline that would last much of the next two decades. The 1996 season was a transitional year, as the Cowboys said goodbye to some of their key players from the Super Bowl-winning squads, including Hall of Famers Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin. Owner Jerry Jones, however, was determined to remain competitive.
In 1997, the Cowboys hired Chan Gailey, a former offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins. Gailey was tasked with bringing the Cowboys back to their winning ways, but his tenure was short-lived. He led the Cowboys to a 10-6 record in 1998, but the team struggled in the postseason, failing to advance past the first round. Gailey was let go after the 1999 season, and the Cowboys were in search of another coach to restore the franchise’s legacy.
2. Dave Campo: The Underwhelming Era (2000–2002)
After Gailey’s departure, the Cowboys turned to Dave Campo, a long-time assistant coach under Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer. Campo’s hiring was seen as a safe choice, but his tenure would ultimately prove to be unsuccessful.
Campo inherited a Cowboys team that was in a state of flux. The franchise was still reeling from the departure of key players, and the roster was filled with inconsistent talent. Campo’s three-year run (2000–2002) was marred by lackluster performances, internal turmoil, and an inability to make the playoffs. Despite having some solid players, including future stars like quarterback Quincy Carter and wide receiver Terry Glenn, Campo failed to turn the team around. His tenure ended after a 5-11 season in 2002.
3. Bill Parcells: The Glimmer of Hope (2003–2006)
In 2003, after years of mediocrity, the Cowboys hired one of the most respected coaches in NFL history: Bill Parcells. Parcells, who had previously enjoyed success with the New York Giants, New England Patriots, and New York Jets, brought an aura of discipline and accountability to the Cowboys.
Parcells was tasked with rebuilding the team from the ground up. The Cowboys were still recovering from the years of instability, and the roster needed significant changes. Under Parcells, the Cowboys became a more competitive team, making the playoffs in 2003 and 2004, though they did not advance far in the postseason. Despite improving the team’s overall performance, Parcells’ tenure was marked by frustration with ownership and management. He ultimately retired after the 2006 season, leaving the Cowboys without a championship, but with a stronger foundation than when he arrived.
4. Wade Phillips: Stability Without a Title (2007–2010)
After Parcells’ retirement, Jerry Jones turned to Wade Phillips, a seasoned defensive coordinator, to lead the team. Phillips had previous head coaching experience with the Buffalo Bills and the San Diego Chargers, and was considered a more low-key, approachable figure compared to Parcells.
In his first season (2007), Phillips led the Cowboys to a 13-3 record, the best in the NFC. The team appeared poised for a deep playoff run. However, in a shocking upset, the Cowboys were defeated by the New York Giants in the divisional round of the playoffs, continuing the team’s playoff struggles.
In 2009, Phillips and the Cowboys managed to win their first playoff game since 1996, but once again, the team faltered in the postseason, losing in the divisional round to the Minnesota Vikings. By 2010, Phillips had helped the team become more consistent during the regular season, but he never managed to get them over the hump in the playoffs. He was fired after a midseason collapse in 2010, ending his four-year tenure.
5. Jason Garrett: The Longest Run (2011–2019)
Following Phillips’ firing, Jerry Jones hired Jason Garrett, a former Cowboys backup quarterback and offensive coordinator. Garrett was given the interim head coaching job in 2010 after Phillips’ dismissal and was formally named head coach at the end of the season.
Garrett’s tenure, spanning nearly a decade, was one of the longest in Cowboys history, but it was also defined by mediocrity. Garrett was seen as a more cerebral coach, relying heavily on his offensive strategies and systems, but his Cowboys teams were often inconsistent. Garrett managed to guide the team to the playoffs three times (2014, 2016, and 2018), but each time, the Cowboys fell short of reaching the Super Bowl. The 2014 season was especially frustrating, as the Cowboys lost to the Green Bay Packers in a controversial divisional round game, despite a solid regular season.
Despite some solid seasons, including a 13-3 finish in 2016, Garrett’s inability to win big games in the postseason eventually led to his firing after the 2019 season. The Cowboys had made little progress toward a Super Bowl appearance under Garrett, and Jerry Jones decided it was time for a change.
6. Mike McCarthy: A New Era (2020–Present)
In 2020, the Cowboys hired Mike McCarthy, a Super Bowl-winning coach who had previously spent over a decade with the Green Bay Packers. McCarthy’s experience and pedigree made him an appealing choice for a team looking to return to its championship ways. However, his tenure has had its ups and downs.
McCarthy’s first season in Dallas was marred by injuries, including a season-ending ankle injury to quarterback Dak Prescott, which put a severe strain on the team’s offensive capabilities. Despite these challenges, McCarthy managed to steer the Cowboys to the NFC East title with a 6-10 record, a reflection of the overall weakness of the division rather than the team’s dominance.
In 2021, with Prescott fully healthy, McCarthy and the Cowboys posted a much-improved 12-5 record, clinching the NFC East once again. However, they were eliminated early in the playoffs by the San Francisco 49ers, further highlighting the team’s inability to perform in high-pressure situations. Despite the team’s offensive prowess, McCarthy has faced criticism for his in-game decisions, clock management, and failure to make the necessary adjustments when it matters most.
As of 2025, McCarthy remains at the helm, and the jury is still out on whether he will be able to lead the Cowboys back to the Super Bowl.
7. Challenges Facing the Cowboys Since 1996
The Dallas Cowboys’ inability to win a Super Bowl since 1995 can be attributed to a variety of factors.
Ownership and Management: Jerry Jones, the team’s owner and general manager, has often been criticized for his involvement in personnel decisions. While Jones has undoubtedly contributed to the Cowboys’ financial success and brand recognition, his tendency to micromanage the team’s operations has created friction with head coaches and has sometimes hindered the team’s on-field success.
Quarterback Play: While the Cowboys have had a stable of talented quarterbacks, including Troy Aikman, Tony Romo, and Dak Prescott, the team has struggled to find consistent elite play in crucial moments. Aikman’s retirement in 2000 marked the end of an era, and though Romo was statistically proficient, he failed to lead the Cowboys to the promised land. Prescott, despite his promise and strong seasons, has yet to demonstrate the same level of postseason success as Aikman.
Consistency and Coaching: The constant turnover in coaching, from Campo to Garrett, has made it difficult for the team to build lasting success. Each new coach brings a different philosophy and system, meaning the team often has to rebuild rather than build upon what the previous regime left behind. This lack of consistency in leadership has hurt the Cowboys’ ability to achieve sustained success.
