Former American Idol finalist Daughtry has a line in his song “Home” that goes like this, “Be careful what you wish for ’cause you just might get it all.” Seems like those may be words to live by for Cowboys fans. For years Cowboys fans have wondered if Jerry the owner would ever fire Jerry the GM? The answer is obviously NO, with a capital N and O. Jerry said recently that he does not even plan to cede his control to his children/heirs. “No. Just no.” Jerry said. “I bought the team, I think the first thing to come out of my mouth…somebody asked, ‘Did you buy this for your kids?’ I said, ‘Hell no. I bought it for me.’ And I didn’t buy an investment. I bought an occupation, and I bought something I was going to do.” It was Jerry Jones speak for “…over my dead body!”
And so a very healthy and fairly vibrant 82-year-old man plans to be in charge for a long time to come. While I have used this space to criticize Jerry in the past, allow me to be the voice of reason here. Jerry plans to run this team until he is no longer with us, is that so bad? I can hear many of you shouting at those words, “ Yes, it is so bad.” But hear me out; it could be worse.
Fans of the Dallas Mavericks know the feeling, there isn’t much worse in major sports history than what Mavs fans have endured. I’m sure you have all heard about the Luka trade. Most of you are likely still sick about it. A friend of mine who works for the team told me that even team employees are sick about this and fear they will never get over it. Playing devil’s advocate, I suggested, “What if the Mavs win three straight NBA Championships with Kyrie and AD?” The response was quick and caustic, “We will then watch Luka dominate for ten more years in LA.”
That, of course, is possible. In three years, Luka will be 28 and just entering the prime of his career. And unless the Mavs really do win back-to-back-to-back titles, which is ridiculously unlikely, Nico Harrison will be long gone. Here’s the problem with that: with a new GM, they will be starting over. He will likely want to bring in a new coach, and many of the players on this squad will be well past their prime by then. So, the Mavs would be heading in a completely different direction.
If that GM does not bring success quickly, then a new one will be hired, and another new course will be set. Fans in North Texas have been blessed by longevity in the GM position. Jon Daniels was at the helm for the Rangers for seventeen years. During his tenure, the team played twice in the World Series and made the postseason five times. When he was fired late in the 2022 season, his right-hand man, Chris Young, took over. It was a seamless transition that led to a World Series win just one season later. Jim Nill has been guiding the Stars since 2013. That continuity has led to one previous trip to the Stanley Cup Finals and a couple of trips to the conference finals. He has been awarded the last two Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Awards by the NHL. Donnie Nelson was the GM of the Dallas Mavericks for sixteen years, during which time they made one trip to the NBA Finals and won a title in 2011. Continuity is a good thing at the top.
Which brings us back to the Cowboys. They have had the same General Manager for 36 years. He looked brilliant during the first few years of his tenure when he had the right coach.
The move most comparable to the Luka trade in Dallas sports history is when Jerry fired the coach who had led the team to two back-to-back Super Bowl wins. Since Jimmy Johnson walked out that door the Cowboys have made it to two NFC Championship games and won a Super Bowl. But that was all thirty years ago. Jerry is older and wiser now and he has learned from the mistake of firing Jimmy over an alcohol-fueled feud. The thing is he has not hit on the right coach since hiring his college teammate in 1989. Time will tell if Brian Schottenheimer is the right coach. But know this, no matter what the Cowboys GM has or has not done right in the last thirty years, it could be worse. Just ask Mavs fans.
Sports columnist John Rhadigan is the host of
The Rangers Podcast on DLLS Sports.
