The beloved Dallas Hall of Famer is not a fan of the franchise's latest move.
The Cowboys hired former Dallas offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer as head coach on Friday to begin a new era for the organization after five years under Mike McCarthy.
Michael Irvin made it clear within nearly 20 minutes that he did not agree with the decision. YouTube video posted Saturday night.
Irvin wanted outside influence to come into the organization, not internal promotion.
“We're bringing in someone who was already on the inside as the head coach,” Irvin said. “What we lost there is irreversible, so that's what worries me. … There's no curfew. They don't have discipline. So how do you fix that? How do you do it when it comes from within?
“Here's my problem: We lost an opportunity,” he continued. “I was pushing Deion Sanders to be head coach, and I'm still standing 10 toes back against that push.”
Mr. Irvin expressed continued support for Mr. Sanders' hiring. The two played together in Dallas from 1995 to 1999, winning the 1996 Super Bowl with a 27-17 victory over the Steelers.
The three-time Super Bowl champion and five-time Pro Bowler also expressed concern about the credibility of the nickname “America's Team.”
“How can you tell them if they don't even know about it?” Irvin said. “Ten years from now, there will be a generation that knows nothing about the so-called 'America's Team' winning a championship.”
Irvin also complained that the Cowboys are lagging behind their NFC East rivals, specifically mentioning Sunday's conference championship game between the Eagles and the Commanders.
“We're losing ground in this NFC,” he said.
Schottenheimer, who served as offensive coordinator under McCarthy for two years, reportedly signed a four-year contract in his first head coaching position.
The 51-year-old previously held offensive coordinator roles with the Jets (2006-11), Rams (2012-14) and Seahawks (2018-20).
Irvin has concerns after being drafted 11th overall by the team in 1988 and spending his entire 12-year career in Dallas.
The wideout won three Super Bowl rings with the franchise and earned his first Pro Bowl berth in 1991 with a 1,523-yard season that included eight touchdowns.
He was later inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.
Former Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant also expressed dissatisfaction with the appointment.
