• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, July 8, 2025

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

Chiefs Delay Stadium Decision as Kansas Dangles Dome Dreams

Kansas legislators extend bonds for potential Chiefs and Royals facilities.
exclusive

CBS, NFL Host James Brown Discussing Contract Extension

The 74-year-old Brown has hosted a record 10 Super Bowl pregame shows.

How Bradley Beal Buyout Would Save Suns $230M, and What’s Next

Beal has two years and $110 million remaining on his deal.

Nationals Hit Reset Button, Oust Rizzo and Martinez Before Draft

The MLB club made major leadership changes just days before the draft.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
Chelsea

Club World Cup Semis Are Battle to Make Richest Soccer Final Ever

Semifinalists have each earned at least $60 million from the tournament so far.
July 2, 2025

Rogers Takes Control of Canada’s Top Teams in MLSE Buyout

The Canadian media giant now has an arguably unrivaled sports portfolio.
July 6, 2025

Liverpool to Pay Diogo Jota’s $20M Contract to His Widow

Jota had two years remaining on his contract.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Myles Turner
July 1, 2025

Pacers Sour on Paying Luxury Tax and Let Myles Turner Walk

The team had seemed willing to cross the threshold for their center.
Manchester City
July 1, 2025

Manchester City Pockets $50 Million for Early Club World Cup Elimination

Saudi side Al-Hilal will bank at least $35 million in its quarterfinal run.
July 1, 2025

Bucks Shock NBA World By Waiving Lillard’s $113M Deal, Signing Turner

Damian Lillard had two years left on his deal.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
July 1, 2025

Panthers Lock Up Stanley Cup–Winning Core With Long-Term Deals

Hours before free agency, Florida cemented terms with their essential players.