Jerry Jones’ bizarre comments and backhanded compliments about new Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer

In this episode of “yes, he really said that”, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones introduced new head coach (and former offensive coordinator) Brian Schottenheimer during a press conference on Monday, complete with bizarre comments and backhanded compliments.

Again with the glory holes...

Already prepared for the criticism of this hire, Jones came into the conference on the defense, going on an 11-minute tangent about his own credentials and why this was a “risky” decision that we should all respect him for. Let’s dive in.

Wait...what?

Jones' bizarre response for his reasons for Schottenheimer hiring

There has definitely not been a shortage of criticism of Jerry Jones for the hiring of Schottenheimer (amongst other things). Even after he was interviewed, fans were collectively groaning. It’s not just his inexperience as a head coach, but Jones' unwillingness to hire anyone unfamiliar with the organization and thus less keen on being his puppet.

So of course, when Jerry was given the microphone and asked why he hired Schottenheimer, he decided to make it all about himself, going on about his 35 years managing the team, why he decided not to be a coach himself (he wanted “bigger cars” and to “fly in planes” - very moving), why his “risky” decision is a great one simply because it’s risky, and then eventually got to Schottenheimer’s actual qualifications.

“I get my proverbial a** kicked over needing people in my comfort zone,” Jones said. “Without this thing being about me in any way, if you don’t think I can operate outside my comfort zone, you are so wrong. This is as big a risk as you can take. No head coaching experience.”

I’m not sure if the objective here was to beg for praise for hiring an inexperienced head coach to lead a team that’s not won a championship in 29 years, or to make Schottenheimer feel extremely uncomfortable whilst sitting next to him listening to this. Jerry did mention that Schottenheimer is the son of a former NFL head coach (Marty Schottenheimer) and has learned a lot from him, but he didn’t let up on the “risky” part of the hire.

Fans might think it’s a “less-than-glamorous hire,” Jones said. “What I would say to you is I got here taking shots. And not shoddy shots. I got here taking shots. ... This was risky. This is risky. But by the same token, how often can you take a risk when someone has had almost 30 years ... of being around coaches, of being around players? That’s two-thirds of his life. And then the rest of it growing up in an NFL-oriented family. ... I’m all in here.”

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I hate to break it to the man, but this is not the kind of risk fans were hoping Jerry would take. Plenty of coaches with no previous experience have led teams to success in the NFL. That “risk” is fine to take. But taking a risk on an offensive coordinator who didn’t even call plays for the Cowboys, who went 7-10 last season under his OC coaching, is still questionable. Jerry can say what he wants, but fans who have been along for the 35-year ride know better.

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