• Loading stock data...
Friday, September 12, 2025
Tuned In is Almost Sold Out! Limited Tickets Remain!

Jones Defends Cowboys Coaching Search As Schottenheimer Takes Over

The Cowboys introduced new head coach Brian Schottenheimer on Monday, and team owner and GM Jerry Jones pulled back the curtain on the much-debated search process.

Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

The Cowboys introduced new head coach Brian Schottenheimer to the media Monday afternoon, closing the loop on a dramatic weeks-long saga surrounding the most valuable franchise in professional sports.

Schottenheimer has been in Dallas since 2022, and for the past two seasons was the offensive coordinator—but not the play-caller—under Mike McCarthy, who was fired on Jan. 13, eight days after the NFL’s regular season ended. McCarthy’s five-year contract expired, and Cowboys owner and GM Jerry Jones ultimately decided to search for a new coach.

“This is as big a risk as you could take,” Jones said Monday during an 11-minute response to the first question of the press conference. The Cowboys are giving a four-year contract to Schottenheimer, the son of the late Marty Schottenheimer (who compiled 200 wins in 327 regular-season games for four different teams), who has no head coaching experience himself.

Time to Shine

Jones sought to push back against several perceived negative narratives about the coaching search, including its length and how many candidates were considered. “This was a thorough, thorough process,” he said.

While teams like the Bears and Jets requested interviews with more than a dozen coaching candidates, the Cowboys interviewed three people outside of Schottenheimer (Seahawks assistant head coach Leslie Frazier, former Jets coach Robert Saleh, and Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who was OC in Dallas before Schottenheimer).

“It’s ridiculous to think that you can make a decision to coach the Cowboys relative to the number of interviews that you might have,” Jones said.

Jones also spoke with Colorado head coach Deion Sanders but did not conduct an official interview with the Pro Football Hall of Famer who won Super Bowl XXX as a member of the Cowboys. Jones noted he had conversations with longtime Seahawks coach Pete Carroll—who fired Schottenheimer in 2021—and Steve Spurrier, but it turns out those discussions were more about gathering intel on Schottenheimer. 

Moving Forward

Both Jones and Schottenheimer expressed their appreciation for McCarthy, who interviewed with the Bears and remains a candidate for the Saints coaching vacancy, along with Moore (the Saints were reportedly planning to potentially fly to Philadelphia on Monday to meet with him).

“McCarthy left some good stuff here,” Jones said. “One of them was Brian. … It was time for a change.”

Jones indicated he wanted Schottenheimer to call plays, which likely wouldn’t have been the case had McCarthy remained coach.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

UEFA Delays Overseas Matches Ruling As LaLiga Miami Game Looms

Barcelona-Villarrea is scheduled for late December at Hard Rock Stadium.

Dexter Fowler Wants to Change the Narrative on Athlete Ownership

The former MLB All-Star owns a stake in Premier League team Bournemouth.

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
Sep 6, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; General view of a Fox Sports camera station before the game between the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field.

Lachlan Murdoch on Fox’s Sports Strategy, FanDuel Plans

The executive calls a forthcoming streaming bundle with ESPN “essential” for fans.

Featured Today

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
opinion
September 9, 2025

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from NFL’s Week 1 Broadcasts

Many viewers decried the addition of ads to “NFL RedZone.”
Aug 23, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) leads the team onto the field for warm ups before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium.
September 7, 2025

Slow Burn: The NFL’s Private-Equity Era So Far

Three deals have been struck to date. But the league is bullish.
Sep 10, 2025; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Sun forward Aaliyah Edwards (8) fights to keep the ball in-bounds during the second half against the Atlanta Dream at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Connecticut AG Demands Documents From WNBA About Sun Sale Process

The WNBA reportedly prefers to move the team to Houston.
May 3, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) controls the ball in the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets during game seven of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena.
September 11, 2025

Clippers Minority Owner Allegedly Invested in Aspiration to Pay Kawhi

Minority investor Dennis Wong allegedly invested in Aspiration as well.
Mar 3, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier (2) warms up prior to the game against the Washington Wizards at Kaseya Center.
Sponsored

Hornets Cancel Sports Betting Night Vs. Heat Over Terry Rozier Tie-In

Terry Rozier is under federal investigation for point-shaving in a 2023 game when he was on the Hornets.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Sep 10, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; A general view of the main scoreboard at Yankee Stadium during a moment of silence for Charlie Kirk before the game between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers.
September 11, 2025

Yankees Prepare for Security Chaos With Trump at 9/11 Game, Days After..

The team told fans to arrive three hours early without any bags.
September 9, 2025

Clippers, Kawhi Leonard Draw New Scrutiny As More Details Emerge

The NBA has commenced an investigation.
September 8, 2025

Bears, Without State Funding, Officially Pivot Stadium to Suburbs

The NFL team formally abandons its plans for a downtown stadium.
Jul 14, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Valkyries fans acknowledge local basketball alumni during a time out against the Phoenix Mercury during the second quarter at Chase Center.
September 7, 2025

Valkyries Set WNBA Attendance Record in Inaugural Season

The Valkyries joined the WNBA as an expansion team this season.