Former Dallas Cowboys star Michael Irvin has expressed his belief that team owner Jerry Jones missed an opportunity by not hiring Deion Sanders as the next head coach. Following the announcement that offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer would take over for former head coach Mike McCarthy, Irvin articulated his disappointment on his YouTube channel, emphasizing a lost chance for the franchise.

Irvin highlighted Sanders' recent success as the head coach at the University of Colorado, where he led the team to a 9-4 record after inheriting a dismal 1-11 record two years prior. As Sanders' sons prepare to depart the program, the possibility of his transition to an NFL coaching role has been hinted at for the upcoming season. In contrast, Schottenheimer has been with the Cowboys in various capacities since 2022 but has yet to lead the team to a playoff victory, raising questions about the decision to promote from within the organization.

The former Cowboys receiver was critical of hiring Schottenheimer, noting that he had not achieved significant results despite his time with the team, while also lacking any head coaching experience. Irvin pointed out that the team struggled with discipline, citing statistics such as being fourth in penalties issued. He argued that promoting someone from within does not bring the fresh perspective necessary to overcome these challenges. With the Cowboys having been eliminated from playoff contention over a month ago, the focus now shifts to whether the hiring of Schottenheimer will be sufficient for the organization to compete effectively with division rivals such as the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders.