Troy Aikman Criticizes Dallas Cowboys Ownership: “It hasn’t been there since Jimmy Johnson left”
During a recent broadcast of Monday Night Football, Hall of Famer Troy Aikman made a bold statement regarding the Dallas Cowboys, suggesting that the team’s ownership structure has hindered the success of its head coaches since Jimmy Johnson left the organization. Aikman, a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Cowboys and one of the most respected voices in NFL commentary, expressed his frustration with how the team’s ownership has impacted the decision-making power of its head coaches.
The Context of Aikman’s Comments
Troy Aikman’s comments came after a discussion about the Dallas Cowboys’ ongoing struggles to reach the pinnacle of the NFL since their dominant run in the 1990s. Despite having one of the most talented rosters in the league, the Cowboys have not won a Super Bowl since the 1995 season, and many fans and analysts have pointed to the team’s inability to make a deep playoff run as evidence of an internal issue that goes beyond just player performance.
Aikman, who played for the Cowboys from 1989 to 2000 and was a key part of the franchise’s success in the early 1990s, believes the root of the Cowboys’ underachievement lies in the power dynamics within the organization. Specifically, he suggested that the team’s ownership, led by Jerry Jones, has consistently prevented the head coach from having the level of control necessary to build a Super Bowl-caliber team.
“The ownership doesn’t empower the Dallas Cowboys head coach,” Aikman said during the Monday Night Football broadcast. “That’s something that has been clear since Jimmy Johnson left. The team has not had a coach with the same level of authority and influence since then.”
Aikman’s comments struck a chord with many NFL fans and analysts, as it sheds light on the long-standing debate surrounding the relationship between Jerry Jones and his head coaches. For years, many have speculated that Jones, who also serves as the team’s general manager, holds too much influence over personnel decisions and the overall direction of the team, often to the detriment of the head coach’s ability to run the team effectively.
Jimmy Johnson’s Departure and the Legacy of Empowerment
The comments from Aikman draw a direct line to the time when Jimmy Johnson, a coach with a proven track record of success, was at the helm of the Cowboys. Johnson, who took over as head coach in 1989, guided the Cowboys to two Super Bowl victories in the 1990s and built the roster that would become one of the most dominant in NFL history. Johnson’s success was largely due to his ability to make key personnel decisions, cultivate talent, and have the autonomy to execute his vision for the team.
However, following the Cowboys’ Super Bowl victory in 1995, Johnson’s relationship with Jerry Jones began to sour. The two men, both strong-willed and fiercely competitive, reportedly clashed over control of team decisions, particularly personnel matters. Jones, who had purchased the Cowboys in 1989, had become more involved in the day-to-day decisions of the team, and Johnson felt his authority as head coach was being undermined.
In 1994, Johnson was forced to resign as the head coach of the Cowboys, despite winning two Super Bowls with the team. The departure of Johnson marked the end of an era for the Cowboys and was the beginning of a new chapter where the team would struggle to maintain the same level of dominance.
Since Johnson’s departure, the Cowboys have gone through several head coaches, but none have been able to replicate the same success. While some of these coaches, including Barry Switzer and Bill Parcells, had periods of success, they did not have the same level of control over personnel and decision-making as Johnson did.
Jerry Jones’ Role and the Power Dynamic
Jerry Jones has long been a central figure in the Cowboys’ success and struggles. As the owner and general manager of the team, Jones has always maintained a hands-on approach to managing the Cowboys, often making high-profile decisions regarding player acquisitions, contract negotiations, and overall team direction. While this hands-on style has helped Jones build a brand that is recognized worldwide, it has also led to frequent criticism.
Jones’ role as both the owner and general manager of the Cowboys has been a source of tension with several head coaches. Many have questioned whether Jones’ involvement in football operations interferes with the head coach’s ability to run the team. In the case of Johnson, Jones’ interference in personnel decisions, such as trading players or selecting draft picks, contributed to the breakdown of their relationship. While Jones may have had the best intentions, his strong influence often led to a lack of cohesion between the head coach and ownership.
Since Johnson left the Cowboys, no head coach has had the same level of authority over the team. Coaches like Dave Campo, Bill Parcells, Jason Garrett, and most recently, Mike McCarthy, have been tasked with leading the Cowboys to success, but they have often had to navigate the power dynamics between themselves and Jones.
Parcells, in particular, was known for his strong personality and desire for control. He had success with the Cowboys, but his tenure was short-lived, and many speculated that the constant friction between Parcells and Jones led to his eventual departure. Similarly, Jason Garrett, who was the Cowboys’ head coach from 2010 to 2019, often found himself in a difficult position where his decisions were regularly scrutinized by Jones, making it harder to build sustained success.
Now, Mike McCarthy is the head coach, and while he’s had some success in his tenure, the Cowboys have yet to break through to a Super Bowl under his leadership. Aikman’s comments suggest that McCarthy, like his predecessors, has had to operate within a framework where Jones holds significant sway over team decisions, limiting the head coach’s ability to make bold moves without Jones’ input.
Aikman’s Perspective: Empowerment and Success
As one of the most decorated players in Cowboys history, Aikman’s perspective on this issue carries significant weight. Aikman was at the center of the Cowboys’ championship run in the 1990s and saw firsthand how Jimmy Johnson’s empowerment as a head coach helped bring success to the team. Aikman understands the importance of having a head coach who has the full backing of the ownership and front office, and how that can influence a team’s trajectory.
“When you have an owner who’s involved in everything, it becomes difficult for the head coach to fully take ownership of the team,” Aikman explained. “Jimmy had that power, and it worked. It’s a different dynamic now, and it’s been difficult for any coach to replicate that success without that level of authority.”
Aikman’s comments underscore a broader issue in the NFL: the relationship between ownership and coaching staffs is vital to success. When a coach is given full control over decision-making, including personnel, it allows them to implement their vision for the team. When ownership meddles too much, it can create friction and limit a coach’s ability to execute their strategy.
A Longstanding Issue for the Cowboys
Troy Aikman’s comments about the Dallas Cowboys’ ownership and its relationship with the head coach bring to light a longstanding issue within the organization. While the Cowboys remain one of the most successful and popular teams in the NFL, their failure to win a Super Bowl since 1995 raises questions about the internal power dynamics and decision-making processes.
As long as Jerry Jones remains the owner and general manager of the Cowboys, it seems likely that the team will continue to face challenges in terms of empowering its head coaches. Whether or not Jones chooses to adjust his approach to team management remains to be seen, but Aikman’s candid remarks highlight a critical aspect of the Cowboys’ struggles that has persisted since the departure of Jimmy Johnson. Until the Cowboys find a balance between ownership influence and coaching autonomy, their pursuit of another Super Bowl title may remain elusive.