Take a Schott: Jerry Jones is right, he’s taken risks. But it will take more to help Brian Schottenheimer succeed
If one thing was evident from Monday’s press conference introducing Brian Schottenheimer as the Dallas Cowboys’ 10th head coach, it’s that owner Jerry Jones has read and heard all of the criticism.
He’s heard the takes about how the Cowboys only interviewed four candidates before landing on Schottenheimer.
“I read where we didn’t have but four or five interviews,” Jones said. “It’s ridiculous to think you could make a decision to coach the Cowboys relative to how many interviews you had.”
He’s heard the criticism around settling for a comfortable option rather than entertaining an outside candidate.
“I’ve been getting my proverbial ass kicked over needing people in my comfort zone,” he said. “If you don’t think I can operate out of my comfort zone, you’re so wrong it’s unbelievable…This was a thorough, thorough process.”
He’s heard how fans and critics alike don’t see the intrigue in hiring the first-time head coach who was fired from his last play-calling opportunity in Seattle.
“It might be couched as a less than glamorous hire. What I would say to you is I got here taking shots. Good things have happened. There’s something to be had where not many people go.”
And lastly, he knows exactly about the criticism around his lack of risk-taking. He fought that battle more than any on Monday.
“I’ve read where I don’t have a penchant for risk-taking,” he said. “If you really knew my scoresheet, you would see that I’ve taken more risks in my last five years than my whole life put together.”
“This is as big a risk as you can take.“
That is something I will agree with Jones on. He has taken risks, even as it pertains to the last half-decade.
It was a risk to trade for Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks, two aging players, in the 2023 offseason. It was a risk to trade fourth-round picks for Trey Lance and Jonathan Mingo. It was a risk to give Dak Prescott the richest annual value contract in league history and CeeDee Lamb the second-highest value deal for a receiver in the league. Some have worked out, some have not.
He should get credit for those risks, yes. But in taking on the challenge of hiring the unproven Schottenheimer, it’s now up to his front office to put the necessary pieces around him to compete.
He has to know that that will require taking more risks.
Heading into an offseason where 22 players are hitting unrestricted free agency and nine more will be recovering from season-ending injuries, the need for outside help is screaming louder than ever.
While experienced himself with over 25 seasons as an assistant in the NFL, Schottenheimer will need a seasoned staff around him. If it takes ponying up more money to get the best assistant pool possible, that will have to be the first risk Jones takes.
The process will begin as soon as Tuesday when the Cowboys’ brass will get on a plane to Mobile, Alabama for the Senior Bowl, where they will meet with multiple prospective position coaches.
After that, the Cowboys will need to take a more active and aggressive approach in free agency, a major shift to how they’ve only dabbled, if at all, in the past.
The roster has holes, and they are far too many to just rely on the draft for help. For Schottenheimer to succeed with a roster in need of some reloading, he can’t be forced into a situation where he will have to be rebuilding.
“I don’t think I’ve ever waked up having two or three things I’ve needed to change,” Jones said when asked directly about free agency. “I’m accustomed to jumping in the fire. I do better in hard times…There’s no reluctance in taking a risk.”
“Are you willing to change what you thought you needed before? And the answer is of course.”
Well, it’s time to put your money where your mouth is. With a new head coach in Schottenheimer leading the way, the flight to change has already boarded.
This story was originally published January 27, 2025 at 3:58 PM.
