{
  "id": 19874005,
  "title": "Cowboys Hall of Famer Names First Coach He’d Call If He Ran an NFL Team",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/cowboys-hall-of-famer-names-first-coach-hed-call-if-he-ran-an-nfl-team",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-13T22:09:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nfl/cowboys-hall-of-famer-names-first-coach-hed-call-if-he-ran-an-nfl-team-12713334"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Troy Aikman, a Dallas Cowboys Hall of Famer, expressed his admiration for San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan during a Thursday appearance on The Musers radio station in Dallas. If given the opportunity to run an NFL team, Aikman would start his coaching search with Shanahan. The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback made this statement while discussing his own ambitions in the front office, not announcing a job or a move by the Cowboys. Aikman praised San Francisco's discipline, physical play, and how its best players enforce standards in the locker room. This was not the first time Aikman has singled out Shanahan, as he had done so in 2022 as well. Shanahan, who has been with the 49ers since February 2017, received a multiyear extension in September. The team is currently preparing for their upcoming game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Aikman's hypothetical search for Shanahan does not imply an agreement to bring him to another team. Shanahan's team, the 49ers, have had a strong season so far, going 12-5 and making it to the wild-card round. They have also won six of their final seven regular-season games. In 2025, the 49ers ranked fifth in passing yards per game and 10th in scoring, averaging 25.7 points. The offense, led by quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Mac Jones, converted 49.8% of their passing chances. Aikman, a three-time Super Bowl champion with Dallas, is no stranger to success. He threw for 32,942 yards and 165 touchdowns during his 12-season career. He earned Super Bowl XXVII MVP honors with four touchdown passes in a 52-17 victory over Buffalo.",
  "summary": "Troy Aikman named the coach he would target first if he ran an NFL team, and explained why.",
  "key_points": [
    "Troy Aikman praises San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan.",
    "Aikman would consider Shanahan first if coaching an NFL team.",
    "49ers have strong season with 12-5 record and wild-card appearance."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}