What If Jimmy Johnson Stayed with the Dallas Cowboys?

Before Jimmy Johnson arrived in Dallas in February of 1989, the Dallas Cowboys only had one coach in their 29-year history and that was Tom Landry.

The differences between the two were immediate and obvious. Jimmy was outspoken and flamboyant compared to Landry’s more conservative style. Jimmy’s success came quick but was only temporary. His tenure was only one sixth as long as Landry’s. Despite this, Jimmy managed to win the same amount of Super Bowls.

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His term ended amid a great deal of bitterness and jealousy, a festering feud between himself and owner Jerry Jones. Problems between the two finally reached their breaking point two months after the Cowboys to victory in Super Bowl XXVIII. Cowboys fans old enough to remember will never forget where they were the day Jimmy stepped down from his position.

Like any tragic event, it frequently makes people wonder what the fate of the team would have been had the it not occurred. Taking into account Jimmy Johnson’s proven track record when it came to successfully evaluating and selecting talent through the draft during his time in Dallas, there in no doubt he would have kept the Cowboys in the Super Bowl hunt for as long as he chose to remain there.

Following the 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996 seasons to free agency. Many of those who left were not successfully replaced. It is highly unlikely that Jimmy would have been swayed by the Jerry Jones philosophy at the time which was to draft backups and special teamers because their stars were so great. With one successful draft after another starting in 1989, the Cowboys went from 1-15 to 11-5 in 1991. They won the Super Bowl the next two seasons and would have been the odds on favorites to make it a three-peat had Jimmy stayed.

As dominant as the 49ers were during their championship season in 1994, the Cowboys were arguably just as good. This, despite the departure of several key players and the addition of a new coach, Barry Switzer. After pulling out a Super Bowl win the following year (some will say in spite of their head coach and owner), the Cowboys were beginning to show signs of decline.

On top of all the important players they were losing in free agency year after year, there were plenty of players getting in trouble off the field. Players getting in trouble with the law further hampered the teams’ chances of remaining competitive. And it is no coincidence that these problems started after their great leader was gone. During his time as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, Jimmy had control of his players. So much so that it is safe to say that most if not all the off the field problems various players got into could have been avoided had he been willing and able to stay their head coach.

Playing for Jimmy, everyone was constantly on edge all the while driven to be the best they could be. Players knowing they could be replaced at a moment’s notice created urgency that was lacking during Barry Switzer’s era. Switzer’s lackadaisical approach led to sloppy play on the field and irresponsible behavior off the field. Ultimately, this led to a quick decline for what may have become the greatest dynasty in NFL history. So, Jimmy Johnson’s legacy as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys can be summed up in four words: What could have been.

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