Jerry Jones, the Master of Media Attention
The owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones, has always been eager to engage with the media and share his thoughts. As the team unveiled Mike McCarthy as the new head coach, Jones took the opportunity to express his excitement.
McCarthy, who led the Packers to a Super Bowl victory, is seen as a significant addition by Jones, who emphasized the team’s “very high” aspirations.
But hold on a minute.
Having high expectations is common, but not everyone can live up to them.
Under Jones’ tenure, the Cowboys had Jason Garrett as their coach for 9 ½ years. The outcome? Three seasons with 10 or more wins, three division championships, and just two playoff wins (both in the wild-card round).
Expecting excellence is one thing, but enduring mediocrity is another.
In the past, Jones parted ways with successful coach Jimmy Johnson, who secured two Super Bowl wins in three seasons. Jones believed that replicating that success would be easy, pointing to a Super Bowl victory under Barry Switzer. However, the Cowboys have struggled to translate off-field achievements—such as their impressive stadium and training facility—into on-field success.
McCarthy, during his time with the Packers, led the team to the playoffs nine times in 13 seasons, winning at least one postseason game in six of those appearances. This track record suggests that Jones might be heading in the right direction, recognizing the talent on his roster that fell short under Garrett’s leadership.
Having high expectations is commendable, but maintaining them without tangible results since the mid-1990s is unrealistic. In the NFL, everyone starts at 0-0, and Jones’ expectations are not unique in a league where success is earned on the field.
