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The Dallas Cowboys had been hoping that Mike McCarthy would stay as their head coach for the 2025 season. But those hopes were dashed when Jerry Jones, the team owner, announced on Monday that McCarthy would be leaving. It was a big surprise for many fans who thought McCarthy was doing well.
Jones and McCarthy met to talk about the past season and plans for the future. However, they couldn’t even start discussing a new contract because it became clear that parting ways was the best option for both sides.
Now, the Cowboys are on the hunt for their ninth head coach. With a variety of candidates in the coaching carousel this year, Jones has a lot of choices to consider. A survey by The Athletic found that many assistant coaches see the Cowboys’ vacancy as the most desirable. Still, some think it’s not as great as it seems.
Troy Aikman, a former Cowboys quarterback, shared his thoughts on ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown.” He expressed surprise over McCarthy’s departure and hinted that there’s no clear plan in place. Aikman said, “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.”
Jones has built the Cowboys into a brand known as “America’s Team” with the largest fanbase and highest value in the NFL. However, his strong influence might make it hard for a new coach to create a winning team.
Aikman also mentioned, “As far as a coveted job, I don’t know that that’s accurate.” He pointed out that while being the Cowboys’ head coach brings attention, it’s tough to do things your way under Jones’ watchful eye. Despite having a talented roster, Jones’ approach often complicates salary cap management and building a successful team.
McCarthy had a rocky start with the Cowboys due to the pandemic but led them to success in 2021 with 12 wins each season for three years straight. Unfortunately, playoff victories were scarce. Entering 2024 without a renewed contract, McCarthy was expected to take the Cowboys deep into playoffs to keep his job.
However, some argue McCarthy wasn’t given a fair shot. The Cowboys didn’t retain key players or bring in new talent after 2023. Negotiations with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb’s contracts limited financial flexibility, and injuries plagued the team, resulting in missing the playoffs with a 7-10 record.
Aikman believes McCarthy is an excellent coach but emphasizes the need for empowerment from the top. Since Jimmy Johnson left after winning two Super Bowls in the early ’90s, no other Cowboys coach has achieved lasting success under Jones’ leadership.