Troy Aikman is one of the most successful quarterbacks in NFL history. He won three Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys and was named the Super Bowl XXVII MVP. But before he became a star in the NFL, Aikman had a somewhat turbulent college career. He originally committed to play at Oklahoma, but he left the school after two seasons.
There are a few reasons why Aikman left Oklahoma. First, he wasn’t happy with the way the Sooners’ offense was run. At the time, Oklahoma was a run-first team that used the wishbone formation. Aikman was a gifted passer, and he wanted to be in an offense that would allow him to showcase his skills.
Second, Aikman was injured during his sophomore season. He broke his ankle in a game against Miami, and he missed the rest of the season. When he came back in 1986, he was no longer the starter. Jamelle Holieway had taken over the job, and he led the Sooners to a national championship.
Finally, Aikman felt like he wasn’t getting the support he needed from the Oklahoma coaching staff. He felt like they weren’t being honest with him about his chances of winning the starting job back.
Reasons Why Did Troy Aikman Leave Oklahoma?
Here is a more detailed look at the reasons why Aikman left Oklahoma:
- Dissatisfaction with the offense: Aikman was a gifted passer, but the Sooners’ offense was a run-first offense that used the wishbone formation. This meant that Aikman didn’t get to throw the ball as much as he wanted, and he felt like he wasn’t able to showcase his skills.
- Injury: Aikman broke his ankle in a game against Miami in 1985. This injury forced him to miss the rest of the season, and when he came back in 1986, he was no longer the starter. Jamelle Holieway had taken over the job, and he led the Sooners to a national championship.
- Lack of support from the coaching staff: Aikman felt like he wasn’t getting the support he needed from the Oklahoma coaching staff. He felt like they weren’t being honest with him about his chances of winning the starting job back, and he felt like they didn’t have his best interests in mind.
In the end, Aikman decided that he needed to transfer to a school where he would have a better chance of playing quarterback and showcasing his skills. He chose UCLA, and he went on to have a successful career there. He was named the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year in 1988, and he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 1989 NFL Draft.
Why Did Troy Aikman Transfer from Oklahoma to Ucla?
In the early 1980s, Troy Aikman was one of the most highly recruited high school quarterbacks in the country. He ultimately chose to play for the University of Oklahoma, but after one disappointing season, he decided to transfer to UCLA.
Aikman has said that his decision to leave Oklahoma was primarily because he wanted to play in a more pass-oriented offense.
At Oklahoma, Aikman felt he was asked to do too much running and not given enough opportunity to showcase his passing ability.
At UCLA, Aikman flourished in head coach Terry Donahue’s “Run and Shoot” offense. In his three seasons with the Bruins, Aikman led the team to two Pac-10 championships and a win in the Rose Bowl.
He also won the Davey O’Brien Award as the nation’s best quarterback in 1988 and finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting that year.
Aikman’s success at UCLA helped him become a first overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. He would go on to have a Hall of Fame career with Dallas, winning three Super Bowl titles.
Why Did Troy Aikman Move to Henryetta Oklahoma?
In 1965, Henryetta’s high school football team was in need of a quarterback. Head coach Chuck Granger contacted Aikman’s father, who agreed to let his son play for the team. Aikman moved to Henryetta and lived with the family of teammate Mark Herndon.
He played well for the high school team and led them to the state semifinals. After graduating from high school, Aikman attended Oklahoma State University on a football scholarship. During his time at Oklahoma State, Aikman became one of the best quarterbacks in college football.
He led the Cowboys to three consecutive bowl games and was named the Big Eight Conference Player of the Year in 1988. After his successful college career, Aikman was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys with the first overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft. Aikman had a successful career with the Cowboys, leading them to three Super Bowl victories in 1992, 1993, and 1995.
He was named Super Bowl MVP after their victory in Super Bowl XXVII. After 12 seasons with the Cowboys, Aikman retired from professional football in 2000.
Also Read: Why Does Troy Aikman Hate the Packers?
What If Aikman Had Stayed at Oklahoma?
It’s impossible to say for sure what would have happened if Aikman had stayed at Oklahoma. But it’s likely that he would have eventually become the Sooners’ starting quarterback. He was a talented player, and he had the potential to be a great college quarterback.
However, it’s also possible that Aikman wouldn’t have been as successful in the NFL if he had stayed at Oklahoma. The Sooners’ offense was a run-first offense, and Aikman wouldn’t have had the opportunity to showcase his passing skills as much.
Ultimately, it’s impossible to say for sure what would have happened if Aikman had stayed at Oklahoma. But it’s clear that he made the right decision for himself by transferring to UCLA. He went on to have a Hall of Fame career in the NFL, and he helped the Cowboys win three Super Bowls.
Who Replaced Troy Aikman at Oklahoma?
Jamelle Holieway replaced Troy Aikman at Oklahoma. Holieway was a true freshman when he took over for Aikman in the fourth game of the 1985 season. He led the Sooners to a 10-1 record and a national championship. Holieway was named the game’s MVP after throwing for 255 yards and three touchdowns in the Sooners’ 18-17 victory over Penn State.
Why Did Troy Aikman Leave Fox and Go to ESPN?
The exact reason why Troy Aikman left Fox and went to ESPN is a bit complex and multifaceted, with several factors contributing to his decision. Here are some of the key points:
Dissatisfaction with Fox’s contract offer: While details haven’t been publicly disclosed, Aikman reportedly felt the initial offer from Fox for a new contract was below his desired value. He also expressed a desire for an opt-out clause to reassess the deal after a year, which Fox wasn’t willing to include. This lack of flexibility and perceived undervaluing of his contribution likely played a significant role in his decision to explore other options.
Attractive offer from ESPN: ESPN, on the other hand, presented a significantly more lucrative contract, reportedly exceeding Tony Romo’s deal with CBS at the time. This financial incentive, along with the opportunity to be the lead analyst on Monday Night Football, a prestigious platform in the NFL broadcasting world, was undoubtedly appealing to Aikman.
Lack of communication and negotiation at Fox: Aikman has openly criticized the lack of communication and negotiation he experienced at Fox during the contract renewal process. He claimed he barely spoke with his superiors and felt the whole process lacked transparency and respect. This lack of professional courtesy likely further solidified his decision to move on.
Desire for a new challenge: Beyond financial and contractual factors, Aikman might have also been motivated by a desire for a new challenge. ESPN’s Monday Night Football, with its different production style and larger reach, could have offered a fresh perspective and revitalized his broadcasting career.
Joe Buck’s move to ESPN: The departure of Joe Buck, Aikman’s longtime broadcasting partner at Fox, also played a part. Buck’s decision to join ESPN sweetened the deal for Aikman, as they had established strong chemistry and enjoyed working together. Their reunion at ESPN likely made the transition smoother and more comfortable.
Conclusion
In Troy Aikman’s junior year at Oklahoma, he led the Sooners to a 12-0 record and a national championship. However, after head coach Barry Switzer was caught paying players for their performance, Aikman decided to leave the program. He transferred to UCLA, where he won another national championship and became a first-round NFL draft pick.
Although his time at Oklahoma was short, Aikman still cherishes the memories of winning a title with the Sooners.
