Troy Aikman’s statement during a Monday Night Football broadcast that “the ownership doesn’t empower the Dallas Cowboys head coach,” is a direct reflection of his perspective on the team’s organizational structure and leadership dynamics. Aikman, the legendary Hall of Fame quarterback who played for the Cowboys from 1989 to 2000, has been vocal about various aspects of the team’s operations since his retirement. His comment draws attention to a longstanding issue that has plagued the Cowboys’ franchise since the departure of Jimmy Johnson, one of the most successful coaches in the team’s history.
To fully appreciate the implications of Aikman’s statement, it’s important to examine the history of the Dallas Cowboys, the roles of ownership and coaching, and how the power dynamics have evolved over the years. This essay will explore these themes and attempt to offer insights into why Aikman believes the ownership structure has hindered the Cowboys’ ability to achieve sustained success in the NFL.
The Dallas Cowboys’ Rise to Dominance under Jimmy Johnson
In the early 1990s, the Dallas Cowboys were at the peak of their powers, with Jimmy Johnson at the helm as head coach. Under Johnson’s leadership, the Cowboys won back-to-back Super Bowls (1992 and 1993) and dominated the NFC during the early part of the decade. This success was the result of not only Johnson’s coaching acumen but also his ability to make key decisions and control the direction of the team.
Johnson’s tenure as head coach began in 1989 when he was hired to lead a franchise that had fallen on hard times. The Cowboys were coming off a 1-15 season, and Johnson’s first few years were marked by rebuilding. He orchestrated some of the most significant trades in NFL history, most notably the trade that sent Herschel Walker to the Minnesota Vikings for a bounty of draft picks. This trade helped lay the foundation for the Cowboys’ resurgence, leading to a roster filled with talent across all positions.
A key aspect of Johnson’s success was the autonomy he had within the organization. The team’s owner, Jerry Jones, gave Johnson the power to make personnel decisions, including trades and draft selections. This level of control allowed Johnson to shape the team as he saw fit, and it was one of the driving forces behind the Cowboys’ success in the early 1990s. Johnson and Jones developed a strong working relationship, with Jones providing the financial backing and Johnson executing his vision on the field.
The Departure of Jimmy Johnson and the Shift in Power
The success of the Cowboys under Jimmy Johnson was undeniable, but the partnership between Johnson and Jones was fraught with tension. In 1994, after winning two Super Bowls, Johnson and Jones had a public falling out that ultimately led to Johnson’s departure from the team. The reasons behind their split have been widely speculated, but one of the most significant factors was the question of control and power within the organization.
Johnson wanted more control over the Cowboys’ roster, while Jones, as the owner, was unwilling to relinquish authority. This power struggle came to a head, and in 1994, Johnson was replaced by Barry Switzer, a coach who had not been involved in the decision-making process to the same extent as Johnson. Switzer inherited a talented team but was unable to replicate the same level of success as Johnson, though the Cowboys did win another Super Bowl under Switzer in 1995.
After Johnson’s departure, the Cowboys entered a period of organizational instability. While the team continued to boast talent—thanks to Johnson’s groundwork—the lack of a unified direction and leadership led to inconsistent performances. The franchise struggled to recapture the magic that made the Cowboys America’s Team during the early 1990s, and much of this was due to the power vacuum left by Johnson’s exit.
Jerry Jones’ Influence and the Role of the Head Coach
Jerry Jones, the owner and general manager of the Cowboys, is a central figure in Aikman’s criticism of the franchise’s structure. Since taking over the team in 1989, Jones has played an outsized role in all aspects of the Cowboys’ operations. Jones is known for his hands-on approach to team management, and his influence over the team’s decisions is pervasive. While Jones has been instrumental in the Cowboys’ financial success, his control over football operations has been a point of contention.
Unlike many NFL owners who take a more passive role in decision-making, Jones has been deeply involved in every aspect of the Cowboys’ operations. He not only owns the team but also serves as the general manager, making personnel decisions, including hiring coaches, drafting players, and making trades. This has led to a concentration of power within Jones’ hands, a dynamic that has raised concerns among former players and coaches, including Troy Aikman.
Aikman’s comments about ownership not empowering the head coach reflect a belief that Jones’ influence has limited the ability of head coaches to operate with the autonomy needed for success. In Aikman’s view, the head coach of the Cowboys is not truly in control of the team’s destiny, as the general manager and owner often override their decisions. This lack of empowerment has made it difficult for head coaches to build their own systems, implement their philosophies, and manage the roster without interference from Jones.
The Tenure of Head Coaches Post-Jimmy Johnson
Since Johnson’s departure, the Cowboys have seen a revolving door of head coaches, each with varying degrees of success. Barry Switzer, Chan Gailey, Dave Campo, Bill Parcells, Wade Phillips, Jason Garrett, and most recently, Mike McCarthy have all held the position. While some of these coaches have had notable achievements—such as Parcells leading the Cowboys to playoff appearances—none have managed to bring the team back to the level of success it enjoyed under Johnson.
One of the most significant examples of Jones’ interference came during the tenure of Jason Garrett, who served as head coach from 2010 to 2019. Despite showing flashes of potential, Garrett’s tenure was marked by inconsistent performances and the inability to make deep playoff runs. Many analysts and former players, including Aikman, pointed to the lack of a cohesive vision and the inability of Garrett to make independent decisions as major factors contributing to the Cowboys’ underperformance.
Garrett, while a former player for the Cowboys, was often perceived as a coach who was too beholden to Jones’ wishes. Aikman, in particular, voiced his frustration with Garrett’s inability to instill a championship culture in Dallas. Aikman believed that Garrett was too focused on pleasing Jones rather than leading the team with his own convictions, which created a culture of mediocrity.
Mike McCarthy and the Current State of the Cowboys
The hiring of Mike McCarthy in 2020 brought a new voice to the Cowboys’ coaching staff. McCarthy, a former Super Bowl-winning head coach with the Green Bay Packers, was brought in to provide a fresh perspective and to lead the team back to contention. However, McCarthy’s tenure has been clouded by questions surrounding the Cowboys’ playoff performances and the continued influence of Jerry Jones on team decisions.
While McCarthy has been able to bring some success to the Cowboys, the team’s inability to win in the postseason has raised doubts about whether he has the autonomy to lead the team in the way he would like. As with previous coaches, McCarthy has been subject to the overarching influence of Jones, particularly in personnel decisions. Whether McCarthy has the same level of control as Johnson once had is a matter of debate, but Aikman’s criticism suggests that the head coach’s power is still somewhat limited.
The Larger Implications of Aikman’s Criticism
Aikman’s remarks speak to a broader issue facing the Cowboys franchise: the balance of power between ownership and coaching. In many successful organizations, the head coach is empowered to make decisions about the team’s direction, with the owner providing financial backing and overall support. However, in the case of the Cowboys, the lines between ownership and coaching have often been blurred.
The lack of empowerment for the head coach in Dallas has resulted in a franchise that has struggled to achieve sustained success. While the Cowboys have had talented rosters over the years, they have often failed to live up to expectations. Aikman’s frustration stems from his belief that the Cowboys’ true potential has been stifled by a lack of unified leadership, where ownership and coaching are not fully aligned.
