Ranking the nine head coaches in the history of the Cowboys: Mike McCarthy’s top five?

Ranking the Nine Head Coaches in the History of the Dallas Cowboys: Mike McCarthy’s Top Five

The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most storied franchises in NFL history, with a rich tradition of success spanning decades. Over the years, the team has gone through numerous coaching changes, each leaving their unique mark on the franchise. While many coaches have come and gone, only a select few have truly cemented their legacy in the history of the Cowboys. With the 2025 NFL season drawing closer, Mike McCarthy enters his fifth season as the head coach of America’s Team, and with that comes the inevitable question: where does he rank among the Cowboys’ coaching greats?

To answer this question, we will explore the nine head coaches who have led the Dallas Cowboys over the years. We’ll rank them based on their overall success, impact on the team, and legacy, while placing Mike McCarthy in the context of this esteemed list. The rankings will not only look at their win-loss records but also at the championships won, team performance, longevity, and their ability to adapt and lead the Cowboys through the ups and downs of a competitive league.

9. Dave Campo (2000–2002)

Dave Campo’s tenure as head coach of the Cowboys was one of the least successful in franchise history. Taking over in 2000, after the firing of Chan Gailey, Campo inherited a team in the midst of a rebuilding phase. Despite his best efforts, Campo struggled to get the Cowboys back to their championship-contending form.

During his three seasons as head coach, Campo failed to lead the Cowboys to the playoffs and finished with a 15-33 record. He was known for his defensive background, but his inability to adapt to the evolving league, along with struggles at quarterback and the lack of sustained talent, led to his eventual firing in 2002. Campo’s legacy with the Cowboys is largely seen as one of mediocrity, and his brief stint is easily the least memorable in the team’s history.

8. Chan Gailey (1998–1999)

Chan Gailey was hired by Jerry Jones in the aftermath of Barry Switzer’s departure, hoping to rejuvenate the Cowboys after their Super Bowl successes in the 1990s. Gailey’s tenure lasted just two seasons, and while he did have some moderate success, the team’s performance was inconsistent.

Gailey led the Cowboys to the NFC East title in 1998 and even made the playoffs. However, the Cowboys’ performance during the postseason left much to be desired, and Gailey’s teams failed to make a deep run. His record with the Cowboys was 18-14, a respectable winning percentage but not enough to meet the high standards set by the franchise.

Gailey’s short time as head coach was marked by a struggling offense and turbulent leadership, ultimately leading to his departure after the 1999 season.

7. Barry Switzer (1994–1997)

Barry Switzer was hired after the abrupt departure of Jimmy Johnson following the Cowboys’ second Super Bowl victory in the 1990s. While Switzer won a Super Bowl in 1995, his overall impact on the Cowboys is viewed with a mixed legacy.

Switzer had a successful coaching background, including winning three national championships at Oklahoma, but his leadership in Dallas was not as effective as Johnson’s. His more relaxed approach to coaching did not seem to mesh well with the high expectations of Jerry Jones and the Cowboys’ players. Though the team did win Super Bowl XXX during Switzer’s tenure, many point to his lack of discipline and difficulty maintaining focus as reasons why his teams often underperformed in subsequent seasons.

Switzer’s record with the Cowboys was 40-24, but his inability to build sustained success led to his eventual firing in 1997.

6. Wade Phillips (2007–2010)

Wade Phillips had a lengthy coaching career in the NFL, and he found a measure of success in Dallas. Hired in 2007, Phillips was tasked with continuing the work of Bill Parcells and bringing the Cowboys back to the postseason. Phillips’ tenure did have its moments, including a 13-3 regular-season record in 2007 and a wildcard playoff victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009.

However, Phillips’ teams consistently underachieved in the playoffs, culminating in a 2007 playoff collapse against the New York Giants in the divisional round. Phillips’ inability to get the Cowboys past the first round of the postseason during his tenure was a major disappointment, and he was eventually fired after a midseason slump in 2010, finishing with a 34-22 record.

5. Mike McCarthy (2020–Present)

Mike McCarthy has been the head coach of the Cowboys since 2020, and his tenure has been filled with both promise and frustration. McCarthy came to Dallas after a successful run with the Green Bay Packers, where he won a Super Bowl in 2010 and established himself as one of the more innovative offensive minds in the league.

However, his time in Dallas has been a mixed bag. In his first season, McCarthy oversaw a disastrous 6-10 campaign, but he was able to get the Cowboys back on track in 2021, finishing with a 12-5 record and leading the team to the playoffs. The team showed considerable improvement, particularly on the defensive side, thanks to the contributions of Dan Quinn, who became the defensive coordinator. However, McCarthy’s inability to win key playoff games remains a thorn in his tenure.

While McCarthy has demonstrated an ability to bring the team back to relevance and shape a more well-rounded squad, he has not yet delivered the Super Bowl glory that Cowboys fans expect. As of now, McCarthy’s win-loss record with the Cowboys stands at 29-20, and he is still searching for that elusive deep playoff run.

4. Jason Garrett (2010–2019)

Jason Garrett served as the Cowboys’ head coach for nearly a decade, one of the longest tenures in franchise history. Garrett inherited the role on an interim basis after Wade Phillips’ firing in 2010 and was later given the full-time position. During his tenure, Garrett’s Cowboys made the playoffs three times, though they failed to win more than one playoff game.

Garrett’s tenure had its highs and lows, and he was often praised for his attention to detail and his development of players like Tony Romo and Dez Bryant. However, the team was plagued by a consistent inability to perform in big moments. Key playoff losses to teams like the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers were indicative of Garrett’s inability to elevate the team in crucial moments.

Garrett’s overall record with the Cowboys was 85-67, and while he is remembered for bringing stability to the franchise, his inability to advance beyond the divisional playoff round ultimately cost him his job.

3. Tom Landry (1960–1988)

The legendary Tom Landry coached the Cowboys for 29 seasons, leading them from their inception in 1960 through the 1980s. Landry’s tenure is filled with accomplishments, including two Super Bowl victories (VI and XII), five NFC titles, and a remarkable record of 20 consecutive winning seasons.

Landry was a defensive genius, introducing the 4-3 defense and helping to lay the foundation for the team’s success. He helped to establish a winning culture, and the Cowboys became a powerhouse under his leadership. Landry’s most significant achievement was the way he developed a reputation for leadership, discipline, and innovation.

While Landry’s teams fell short of winning a Super Bowl in some seasons, his legacy is one of excellence, and he remains one of the most respected coaches in NFL history. His impact on the franchise cannot be overstated, and he is considered one of the best head coaches in the history of the sport.

2. Jimmy Johnson (1989–1993)

Jimmy Johnson is perhaps the most influential coach in Dallas Cowboys history. Hired by Jerry Jones in 1989, Johnson took over a team that had just come off a disappointing stretch and quickly turned them into an unstoppable force. In 1992, Johnson led the Cowboys to their first Super Bowl victory in 27 years.

Johnson’s ability to build a dynasty through the draft (acquiring talent like Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin) and his innovative coaching style revolutionized the Cowboys. His hard-nosed approach and emphasis on physicality helped the team secure back-to-back Super Bowls in 1992 and 1993. However, Johnson’s departure after the 1993 season marked the end of the Cowboys’ dominant run, as friction with Jerry Jones led to a separation.

Despite the brevity of his time in Dallas, Johnson’s imprint on the Cowboys’ success is undeniable. His legacy as a Super Bowl-winning coach and architect of a Cowboys dynasty places him firmly in the top two.

1. Bill Parcells (2003–2006)

The number one head coach in Dallas Cowboys history is Bill Parcells, known as the “Big Tuna”. Though Parcells only coached the Cowboys for four seasons, his impact was immediate and profound. Parcells took over a franchise that had gone through years of instability and led them to the playoffs twice during his tenure.

Parcells’ tough, no-nonsense approach brought much-needed discipline to the Cowboys’ roster. His strategic mind helped the team become more competitive, and his influence on the development of Tony Romo and the defense under Bill Bates is still felt today. Although Parcells never won a Super Bowl with Dallas, his work in rebuilding the team and getting them back into contention earned him a place as the best Cowboys head coach to date.