In most years, they left the Dallas Cowboys richer — but also worse for wear when it came to the NFL’s appetite for their next head coaching job.
Chan Gailey. Dave Campo. Wade Phillips. Even Jason Garrett. All capable. Maybe able to wrangle a second head coaching shot in a less-than-ideal situation. Most ended their careers stranded on the same island of rejection, branded as better supporting actors than leading men. Tom Landry and Barry Switzer never coached in the NFL again after getting axed by Jerry Jones; Landry because he was too old, Switzer because he was too unpredictable.