I think it's closer than you two are suggesting. Jimmy took a 1-15 team and won a SB with them 3 years later. That's one of the most amazing coaching feats in the history of the NFL.
Difference is White actually had a good team around him. If White had had to play behind some of the line Tony has, he would have gotten killed.
Danny didn't carry those teams... Tony has.
One of the dallascowboys.com writers (can't remember which one) has already insinuated that the mentality might be that they want to keep McClain around in case of a playoff run. Just stupid.