"THROUGH THE EYES OF A FAN"
THE LONG ROAD BACK TO THE TOP
FOR THE DALLAS
Even with the Cowboys success some changes were expected. Soon after Super Bowl XXVIII it was announced that offensive coordinator Norv Turner had accepted the head coaching job with the Washington Redskins. Turner had created one of the best offenses in the NFL while with the Cowboys. Jimmy Johnson quickly hired Norv Turner's replacement, Ernie Zampese from the Rams. Zampese and Turner had coached together with the Rams before Turner came to the Cowboys in 1991.
More changes came in the form of free agency for the Cowboys. Even winning back-to-back Super Bowls did not stop players like Ken Norton Jr., Jimmie Jones, John Gesek, Eddie Murray and Tony Casillas from leaving. The Cowboys didn't lose everyone through free agency. They resigned Daryl Johnston, Mark Stepnoski, Nate Newton, Alvin Harper and Bill Bates to new contracts.
Things started taking a turn for the worse for the Cowboys organization as March rolled around. Ever since Jerry Jones bought the Cowboys in 1989 and hired Jimmy Johnson, there were reports of arguments between the two of them over the team. Stories about who was responsible for the Cowboys success and who should get the credit. More of those same stories started to surface from the NFL meetings, that there were issues between Jones and Johnson. It was being reported that Jerry Jones was overheard saying that almost anyone could coach the Cowboys and that maybe he was thinking about hiring former Oklahoma Sooners head coach Barry Switzer. When Jimmy Johnson heard about what Jones had said he left the NFL meetings. Johnson wasn’t heard from for a few days and the media would not let the issue rest.
Jerry Jones quickly told the media that he didn't mean what he had said and that Jimmy Johnson was still the head coach of the Cowboys. He also added that the conversation he had about Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer was "No Big Deal." After a few days Johnson headed back to Dallas to meet with Jones. He made it clear to everyone that he was not happy about what Jerry Jones had said and wanted to know why he said it if he really didn’t mean it
On Monday, March 28, 1994, both Jimmy Johnson and Jerry Jones met to discuss everything that was happening between the two of them. That night they told the media that nothing had been resolved and they would be meeting again the next day. Hoping that their issues could be resolved, the next day Cowboys fans worst fears came true. A press conference was called and as Jimmy Johnson sat next to Jerry Jones, he announced that he was stepping down as the head coach of the Cowboys. Johnson said…
"After our discussions, we have mutually decided that I would no longer be the head football coach of the Dallas Cowboys."
After five seasons and two Super Bowl victories, Jimmy Johnson was gone. After going 1-15 in his first season with the Cowboys in 1989, Johnson then went 43-21 the next four years. He had a 7-1 post-season record. He was voted AP Coach of the Year in 1990. He was loved by Cowboys fans everywhere. Fans just couldn't understand how Johnson and Jones couldn't resolve their issues considering all the success they were having and how they could continue having success with the way the team was playing. But it all ended due to comments that never should have been said.
The day after Jimmy Johnson stepped down as head coach, Jerry Jones hired former Oklahoma Sooners head coach Barry Switzer just like he had spoke about. Doing this did not exactly help Jones gain the respect of Cowboys fans, who believed that he truly wanted all the credit for the Cowboys success and wanted Johnson to leave.
As the Cowboys walked off the field of the Georgia Dome after winning Super Bowl XXVIII, they had earned themselves a place in NFL history. They had just won back-to-back Super Bowls after going through a 1-15 season just five years earlier. The players from those Championship teams will always be remembered just like those from the Championship teams of the 70’s. The Dallas Cowboys have a deep history of great players and a winning tradition unmatched by most teams. They truly are "America's Team" and that will never change. The Dallas Cowboys story will never end, it will only continue. It was Jimmy Johnson who said it best on January 17, 1993…
"HOW BOUT THEM COWBOYS"
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