In the new millennium, the middling Dallas Cowboys have once again found a way to disappoint their legion of fans. Recently, Jerry Jones (Owner, President, and General Manager) made the dubitable decision to hire Brian Schottenheimer (Son of late Coach Marty Schottenheimer and “gleam” visionary) as the Cowboys’ next head coach.
The once proud franchise has devolved into a mediocre team with 217 wins and 187 losses, a .537 winning percentage, and 12 playoff appearances in the past 24 seasons. Jones needed to choose a leader for his franchise who could have indicated to the fanbase that he was finally willing to make the necessary changes that appeared to be seen as a metastrophe in effect. Still, Jones could not allow himself to be devoid of attention for a minuscule moment.
When one owns a sports team with a valuation of approximately $4 billion, and the Cowboys’ popularity exceeds far beyond the boundaries of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex or that of Texas, it is easy to allow complacency to enter into the subconscious because the franchise will retain its popularity well into the foreseeable future. How else can one explain the reality of the Cowboys being on national television almost weekly until they are out of playoff contention each season since they hoisted their last Vince Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl XXX? Some people were born, became adults, and earned multiple college degrees in that period.
Unfortunately, the memories of what the Dallas Cowboys once were are a fading memory shrouded in mediocrity. The naysayers are plenteous and more vociferous than ever. In general, much of the buffoonery allowed by productions of some sports networks used to lampoon the cowpunchers has become banal; it is not worth the effort to ridicule or pick low-hanging fruit.
The sight of many of the greats from the Cowboys’ past lamenting the stagnation of the present is quite desultory. Yes, Jones allows the band to form again with the occasional Ring of Honor celebrations, but those who are still with us are more gray and have lost some of the youthful vigor of their heyday.
Of course, Jones has earned plaudits for steering the Cowboys out of the financial constraints left by previous ownership. His stewardship of the franchise has certainly been a boon to himself and the National Football League as well, which is the primary reason he owns a gold jacket from his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction.
While Dallas has not been one of the worst teams in the league most years, the Cowboys are in some sort of purgatory where they do not have the personnel to make them championship-worthy but have too much talent to prevent the roof from caving in. Jones needed to find a leader of men; he decided to hire a relatively unknown.
Thursday, January 30, 2025