Wednesday, January 28, 1998

Troy Aikman: There's no quarterback sneak in this hire

By Randy Galloway

The Dallas Morning News

(KRT)

DALLAS - Despite denials all the way around, there are those of us who still think Troy Aikman is having ample input and impact on the hiring of the Cowboys' next coach.

Aikman has denied it all along, and did so again Tuesday, rather emphatically.

"I was also once called gay," he said, laughing, "and that was damn sure wrong, too."

And, of course, "racist" even surfaced a couple of years ago in the dark era of Valley Ranch's evil empire.

"Wrong again," added Aikman.

But from that early January day when Jerry Jones officially opened the coaching search, the Cowboys' owner has hardly been secretive about one criteria in this hire.

Jerry wants a head coach who will be immediately endorsed and embraced by Aikman, therefore ensuring a smooth entrance for the new fellow that will carry over into mini-camps, the off-season programs and certainly training camp.

Jones and Aikman think exactly alike. With this new coach, there will be no time for freshman orientation, howdy dances, rush parties and rebuilding programs. Whoever the hire, he will have to hit the Valley Ranch ground on the dead run and have the Aikmans, the Woodsons and the Irvins right behind him. If those three fall into place with the newcomer, so will the rest of the team.

Aikman, however, admitted he is perturbed to continually read and hear the new coach must be able to "get along" with a certain finicky quarterback.

"That is absolutely no problem," Aikman said. "Anybody can get along with me who is committed to coaching the team and getting out of this team its full potential. Whatever we have left as a team, talent-wise, I just want it to be showing in every game.

"But, my gosh, I'm not exactly alone in that. I think every player in the locker room wants the same thing. At least, they should."

There is one ongoing theory that Jones' search is dragging on beyond normal lengths because his "A" list of candidates doesn't thrill him. Then, again, what's the hurry? Frankly, Jones needs to be taking ample time in an attempt to make sure the right hire is made. Jerry absolutely can't be wrong this time.

And while the current list of "finalists," which seems to be George Seifert, Terry Donahue and Sherman Lewis, might not appear strong to some of us, Aikman disagrees.

"As I've said from the start, I'm staying out it. But at the same time, I commend Jerry for his homework, his thoroughness and his attention to every detail," said Aikman.

"And if you look at the names that are printed the most, they are all guys who will be good hires and will do what is necessary. If Jerry goes with any of them, I will be happy because I know the right hire will have been made."

Of course, Donahue being involved lands very close to home for Aikman. Their UCLA ties were and still are very strong. Aikman admires Donahue and considers him a friend. But if the new Cowboys' coach is Donahue, it's inevitable he will be labeled as "Troy's boy." Which brings us back to the theme of Aikman having a major impact in the decision.

"If it were Terry, and I certainly don't know that, I couldn't be concerned about public perception, and I could only hope the local media would be more perceptive than that," Aikman said. "The media should know Jerry well enough that he will do what he wants to do.

"But if there were some uneasiness in the locker room about my ties to Terry, then I would definitely be very sensitive to that. I do think, however, most of the players understand Jerry by now. They know Jerry is not going to base this on what I might or might not be thinking."

Aikman, of course, remains at the center of the coaching hire because of obvious reasons. He's a high-profile quarterback who doesn't mind being outspoken about his desire to win or outspoken when he feels certain factors work against that objective. Jones knows this and appreciates it.

The new coach "getting along" with Aikman is important. But the top priority goes far beyond that. Can the new guy "get along" with Jones is the hanging curveball that puts the most intrigue in this particular search.

For a coach to survive in Dallas, he first has to survive the owner.

(c) 1998, The Dallas Morning News.

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