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It was a given that Coach Wade began this season, the last on his three-year contract, needing a dramatic statement to prevent Jerry from going after one of the big names on the market. The most popular question hasn’t been whether Wade would come back, but which veteran, winning head coach would replace him: Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan or Mike Holmgren?

There was even speculation, with good reason, that Jones would break from tradition and make an in-season change during the bye week had the Cowboys lost to the Chiefs in Kansas City, a disaster that was narrowly averted.