Since Tom Landry's 29-year reign established them as America's Team, the Cowboys have yet to keep a coach longer than five seasons.
Jimmy Johnson was Jerry Jones' first hire after the team was sold in 1989, and he restored the Cowboys to elite status following a decline late in the Landry years. But a falling out between Jones and Johnson led to the coach's departure following two straight Super Bowl titles.
Jones turned to former Oklahoma coach Barry Switzer, with mixed success. Switzer did win a Super Bowl in his second season but was gone two years later after a 6-10 season. Jones fared no better with his next two hires – Chan Gailey, who made the playoffs in his two seasons but never won in the postseason, and Dave Campo, whose three teams all went 5-11.
After struggling for years to find the right coach, Jones thought he had one in Bill Parcells. Though he elevated the roster talent over four seasons, Parcells finished with losses in his only two playoff games.
Cowboys record: 270-178-6
Overall record: 270-178-6
Notable: Invented the Flex defensive scheme. ... NFL-record 20 consecutive winning seasons. ... Won two Super Bowls and five NFC titles. ... Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. ... Inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor in 1993. ...Died of leukemia on Feb. 12, 2000.
Defining moment: Starting Roger Staubach over Craig Morton during 1971 Super Bowl run.
Legacy: His stoic nature and professionalism symbolized America's Team.
Playoff wins with Cowboys: 20
Super Bowl wins with Cowboys: 2
Cowboys record: 51-37
Overall record: 89-68
Notable: Won a national championship at the University of Miami and two Super Bowls in Dallas. ... Became the fourth coach in NFL history to win consecutive Super Bowls, joining Vince Lombardi, Don Shula and Chuck Noll. ... Replaced two legendary coaches in the NFL – Tom Landry in Dallas and Don Shula in Miami. ... Went 1-15 in his first season with the Cowboys in 1989.
Defining moment: Emmitt Smith messing with Johnson's perfect hair after the Super Bowl XXVII victory.
Legacy: Brought the Cowboys back to elite status.
Playoff wins with Cowboys: 7
Super Bowl wins with Cowboys: 2
Cowboys record: 45-26
Overall record: 45-26
Notable: Won three national championships at Oklahoma. ... Elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002. ... Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith never missed a game with Switzer as coach. ... Arrested in 1997 for carrying a loaded revolver in his carry-on bag at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. ... Finished his Cowboys coaching career with a five-game losing steak and his only losing season in Dallas.
Defining moment: Reaching out to shake Jerry Jones' hand as the owner took the Super Bowl trophy.
Legacy: Proved he could win a Super Bowl.
Playoff wins with Cowboys: 5
Super Bowl wins with Cowboys: 1
Cowboys record: 18-16
Overall record: 18-16
Notable: Reserve quarterback at Florida in the early 1970s. ... Won NFC East title in 1998. ... Reached the postseason in 1999 with an 8-8 team. ... Fired by Jerry Jones following the 1999 season. ... Now being mentioned for various NFL head coaching positions.
Defining moments: Two playoff appearances in two seasons.
Legacy: Never figured out how to get the most out of Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin.
Playoff wins with Cowboys: 0
Cowboys record: 15-33
Overall record: 15-33
Notable: Compiled a 3-7 record in September. ... Had seven starting quarterbacks. ... Coached Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith in their final games as Cowboys. ... Suffered a 19-10 loss to Houston in the Texans' first game.
Defining moment: Receiver Joey Galloway and quarterback Troy Aikman missing his first game as coach with injuries.
Legacy: Only Cowboys head coach with a losing record.
Playoff wins with Cowboys: 0
Cowboys record: 34-32
Overall record: 208-162-1
Notable: Won two Super Bowls. ... Took four different teams to the playoffs. ... Ranked in the top 10 in career victories. ... Second in career victories among active coaches behind Marty Schottenheimer. ... Five division titles, three Super Bowl appearances.
Defining moment: Going to the playoffs in 2003 with a team perceived as being short on talent.
Legacy: Improved the Cowboys' talent but failed to win in the playoffs.
Playoff wins with Cowboys: 0
Cowboys records include postseason games
E-mail cwatkins@dallasnews.com
