The Lack of Empowerment for Dallas Cowboys Head Coaches: Analyzing Troy Aikman’s Comments
In a recent Monday Night Football broadcast, legendary Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman made a bold statement that immediately captured the attention of football fans across the nation: “The Dallas Cowboys head coach is not empowered by the ownership.” Aikman’s remarks centered on the idea that the power dynamics between the Cowboys’ head coach and the team’s ownership have significantly changed since the departure of Jimmy Johnson in the early 1990s. Aikman, who played under both Johnson and subsequent head coaches, has a unique perspective on the team’s evolving structure and leadership style.
His comments raise crucial questions about the current state of the Dallas Cowboys organization, a team that has often been described as one of the most successful, yet dysfunctional, franchises in the NFL. For over two decades, the Cowboys have failed to win a Super Bowl, a drought that has fueled speculation about the true nature of the relationship between head coaches and ownership. In this article, we’ll analyze Aikman’s comments, explore the historical context behind them, and examine how this lack of empowerment has impacted the Cowboys’ performance in recent years.
Troy Aikman’s Background and Credibility
Troy Aikman is not only a former player but also a prominent analyst, providing insightful commentary on NFL games during his tenure as a broadcaster for Fox Sports. As a former first overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft, Aikman went on to lead the Cowboys to three Super Bowl victories in the 1990s. His relationship with the Cowboys organization, particularly with former head coach Jimmy Johnson, makes his insights on the team’s leadership structure particularly compelling.
Aikman’s comments on Monday Night Football reflect his deep understanding of the Cowboys’ internal dynamics. He has witnessed firsthand the evolution of the team under different ownership and coaching structures. Aikman’s words carry weight, as he was part of the Cowboys’ most successful period in recent memory, a time when head coach Jimmy Johnson commanded respect and authority, both on and off the field.
Jimmy Johnson’s Departure and the Shift in Leadership
To understand the full weight of Aikman’s comments, it is important to revisit the departure of Jimmy Johnson, one of the most influential figures in Cowboys history. Johnson took over as head coach in 1989 and quickly turned the team into a powerhouse. Under his leadership, the Cowboys won two Super Bowls in the 1992 and 1993 seasons. Johnson’s no-nonsense approach to coaching, combined with his deep football acumen, instilled a sense of discipline and accountability throughout the team.
However, Johnson’s time with the Cowboys was cut short after the 1993 season. Despite his success, tensions between Johnson and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones began to mount. According to various reports, Jones and Johnson had significant disagreements over control of personnel decisions, with Jones desiring more influence over roster moves. Their rift became public when Johnson was unexpectedly let go following the 1993 Super Bowl victory.
The departure of Jimmy Johnson marked the end of an era for the Cowboys, and it fundamentally altered the franchise’s trajectory. While the team continued to experience some success under subsequent coaches, no one was able to replicate the level of authority and control that Johnson had commanded. The absence of a dominant figure like Johnson left a void in the Cowboys’ leadership structure, one that, according to Aikman, has never truly been filled.
Ownership’s Control and the Role of the Head Coach
One of the key points Aikman made during the broadcast was that the Cowboys’ head coach is no longer “empowered” by ownership. In the past, coaches like Johnson were given full autonomy to run the team. Johnson, in particular, had the final say on both coaching and personnel decisions, which allowed him to create a unified vision for the franchise. This level of control is a luxury that most head coaches in the NFL do not have.
However, since Johnson’s departure, the Cowboys have seen a shift in the power dynamics between ownership and coaching. Jerry Jones, the team’s owner and general manager, has often been criticized for his heavy-handed approach in overseeing the team’s operations. Jones is known for being deeply involved in the decision-making process, often making personnel decisions and playing a prominent role in game strategy.
While some owners remain hands-off and allow their coaches to run the team, Jones has consistently maintained a high level of involvement, which has led to questions about the autonomy of the head coach. This has been particularly evident in the tenures of coaches like Dave Campo, Bill Parcells, Wade Phillips, Jason Garrett, and the current head coach, Mike McCarthy.
Aikman’s assertion that the head coach is not empowered by ownership suggests that the Cowboys’ coaching staff is often left with limited control over the direction of the team. This lack of empowerment can lead to internal struggles and a lack of cohesion between the coach’s vision and the decisions made by ownership. As Aikman pointed out, this dynamic has been a consistent issue since Johnson’s time, and it may help explain the Cowboys’ struggles to return to championship glory.
The Impact on the Cowboys’ Performance
The lack of empowerment for the head coach has likely contributed to the Cowboys’ inability to return to the Super Bowl since their last championship win in the 1995 season. While the team has experienced periods of success, particularly under the leadership of Bill Parcells and Jason Garrett, they have consistently fallen short of reaching the highest level of achievement in the NFL.
One of the key reasons for this underachievement is the internal instability caused by conflicting power structures. When ownership is too involved in decision-making, it can create tension between the coach and the front office. In the case of the Cowboys, this dynamic has often led to miscommunication, a lack of clear direction, and ultimately, suboptimal performance on the field.
Furthermore, the constant turnover at the head coaching position has prevented the team from building the type of stability and continuity needed for sustained success. Since Jimmy Johnson’s departure, the Cowboys have had a total of ten head coaches, including interim coaches. Each coach has brought their own philosophy and approach, but none have been able to establish the same level of control and dominance that Johnson had.
The pressure of working under such a tight and often unpredictable power structure can also take a toll on the coaches themselves. Some have been reluctant to challenge Jerry Jones, knowing that their tenure could be short-lived if they do. This fear of conflict with ownership has likely hindered the ability of these coaches to implement their vision fully.
The Cowboys in the Modern NFL
As the NFL has evolved, so too has the role of the head coach. In today’s NFL, successful head coaches often have a strong voice in all aspects of the team’s operations, from personnel decisions to game strategy. The most successful teams in the league today, such as the New England Patriots under Bill Belichick, have head coaches who wield significant power and influence.
However, the Cowboys’ unique structure, with Jerry Jones acting as both the owner and general manager, has created an environment where the head coach’s authority is limited. This has prevented the Cowboys from establishing the kind of cohesion and stability seen in other successful organizations. While Jones is undeniably passionate about the success of his team, his tendency to meddle in football operations has often led to dysfunction within the franchise.
The current head coach, Mike McCarthy, is the latest in a long line of Cowboys coaches who must navigate the delicate balance between working with Jerry Jones and asserting their own vision for the team. McCarthy, who led the Green Bay Packers to a Super Bowl victory in 2011, has faced criticism for the team’s inability to make a deep playoff run since his arrival in Dallas. While McCarthy is undoubtedly a talented coach, the lack of empowerment from ownership could be one of the key factors preventing him from achieving the level of success he experienced with the Packers.
Conclusion: The Need for a Change in Power Dynamics
Troy Aikman’s comments about the lack of empowerment for the Cowboys’ head coach highlight a critical issue that has plagued the franchise for years. Since the departure of Jimmy Johnson, the Cowboys have struggled to find a head coach who can exert the same level of authority and control that Johnson had. The influence of ownership, particularly Jerry Jones, has consistently undermined the power of the head coach, leading to internal instability and, ultimately, inconsistent performance on the field.
For the Cowboys to once again reach the pinnacle of the NFL, a fundamental shift in the power dynamics between ownership and coaching is necessary. The head coach must be empowered to make decisions and implement their vision without interference from the owner. Until that happens, the Cowboys will likely continue to struggle in their quest for a Super Bowl title, despite their talent and resources.
Aikman’s comments serve as a reminder that the Cowboys’ dysfunction is not merely a result of coaching or player performance, but rather the result of a fractured organizational structure that has been in place for decades. Only time will tell if Jerry Jones will cede more power to his head coach, but until then, the Dallas Cowboys will continue to search for the formula that will bring them back to the promised land of the NFL.