The 1990 Dallas Cowboys season was marked by a significant turnaround under head coach Jimmy Johnson, who earned NFL Coach of the Year honors for leading the team to a 7-9 record after a 1-15 finish the previous year. The season was highlighted by the debut of legendary running back and first-round pick Emmitt Smith, who won Offensive Rookie of the Year and earned a Pro Bowl selection. While the team narrowly missed the playoffs, a late-season four-game winning streak and improved play from quarterback Troy Aikman signaled the beginning of the franchise's return to dominance.