Troy Aikman criticizes Cowboys after Mike McCarthy departure, questions whether it’s ‘coveted job’

Troy Aikman, one of the greatest and most well-known players in the storied players in the history of the Dallas Cowboys, has weighed in on his former team parting ways with head coach Mike McCarthy. It’s safe to say, Aikman is not fond of the way things are going.

While there was always speculation that McCarthy might be on his way out, Aikman noted that he did not expect it.

“I thought Mike McCarthy would be the head coach, so this is a bit of a surprise for me today that he’s not going to be,” Aikman said. “And what went into those conversations that Schefter talked about, I’m not exactly sure. It suggests that there’s not a real plan. The fact that they haven’t to maybe interview a Ben Johnson and some of these others — Aaron Glenn. I think what Schefter said as far as Kellen Moore being a candidate, that seems logical to me. A guy who has familiarity with the building. He’s worked obviously with the Cowboys and with Jerry Jones.”

ESPN’s Adam Schefter had previously mentioned Moore — as well as former Cowboys tight end and Monday Night Football announcer Jason Witten — as possible candidates.

Aikman then questioned Scott Van Pelt’s assessment that the Dallas job was a desirable one.

“As far as a coveted job, I don’t know that that’s accurate,” added Aikman. “I do think the Cowboys are obviously a high-profile team. Whoever is head coach of that team is certainly going to draw a lot of attention. But I think most football people that take over as a head coach, they want to do it on their teams. That’s hard to do. If you take a Dan Campbell, for instance. Is Dan Campbell, Dan Campbell if he’s with the Dallas Cowboys? It’s hard to imagine that he is. It’s hard to imagine that a lot of these coaches might be. I love the Dallas Cowboys, I played there for 12 years and I wish them well. To say that it’s a coveted job, I’m not sure I would necessarily agree with that.”

Troy Aikman on the Dallas Cowboys: “I thought Mike McCarthy would be the head coach, so this is a bit of a surprise for me today… It suggests that there’s not a real plan… To say that it’s a coveted job, I’m not sure I would necessarily agree with that.” 🏈🔥🎙️#NFL pic.twitter.com/M6cmb1dOaO

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 13, 2025

He was not done.

After speculating on what went wrong with McCarthy, Aikman touted the now-former Dallas coach’s ability. But he also spoke about what coaches need to succeed in the NFL, noting it’s been missing in the organization for more than 30 years.

“I think coaching matters in the NFL — I think we would all agree,” Aikman said. “I think coaching matters. Players matter. You have to have both. But just bringing in someone, no matter how qualified that coach might be — and I’ll reiterate — I think Mike McCarthy is an outstanding football coach. He’s proven that in this league. The number of times he’s won 10 games or more as a head coach. But you also have to empower that head coach. And that’s been what has been missing in Dallas since Jimmy Johnson walked out the door.”

More from Troy Aikman on the Cowboys:

“I think Mike McCarthy is an outstanding football coach. He’s proven that in this league… But you also have to empower that head coach. And that’s been what has been missing in Dallas since Jimmy Johnson walked out the door.” pic.twitter.com/bvLkTzcmjp

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 13, 2025

While Johnson’s replacement, Barry Switzer, won a Super Bowl in his second year with the Cowboys, it was with a team that had been assembled mostly under Johnson’s watch. Since then, the results have certainly backed Aikman’s words. Since that 1995 championship, the Cowboys have not returned to the Super Bowl or even reached an NFC Championship Game.