Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
The Dallas Cowboys introduced Brian Schottenheimer as the new head coach of the iconic NFL franchise on Monday, and the press conference produced some classically bizarre quotes from Jerry Jones. Jones already had the NFL world scratching its collective head over the weekend when he said in a statement that Schottenheimer “ain’t Brian no more.”
While introducing the 51-year-old Brian Schottenheimer as the team’s next head coach — having been promoted from the offensive coordinator position — Jerry Jones said that hiring the first-time head coach (Schottenheimer has been an offensive coordinator in the NFL for 14 seasons) was as “big of a risk” as he could take.
What made Jones’ comments so eyebrow-raising, however, is that he made them WHILE sitting right next to Schottenheimer.
Jerry Jones on hiring Brian Schottenheimer:
“If you don’t think I can operate outside my comfort zone, you are so wrong. This (hiring Schottenheimer) is as big a risk as you can take. No head coaching experience.”pic.twitter.com/hOUAw8mJ6H
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 27, 2025
“I know that Shotty is no stranger to these guys (players). I know he’s no stranger to this building. I get my proverbial ass kicked over needing people in my comfort zone. Without this thing being about me in any way, if you don’t think I can’t operate out of my comfort zone, you’re so wrong it’s unbelievable. This is as big a risk as you can take. As big a risk as you can take. No head-coaching experience,” Jones said during Schottenheimer’s introductory press conference on Monday, January 27.
Later, while speaking to reporters in a media scrum, Jones produced yet another bizarre colloquialism when he said that there has been a “very low percentage of smiles and glory holes” when it comes to Cowboys fans’ response to the Schottenheimer hiring.
Add it to the Jerryisms bingo card
Jerry Jones when I asked how the reaction of Cowboys fans makes him feel: “There’s a very low percentage of this that is smiles and glory holes. Very low percentage.”#DallasCowboys #jerryjones pic.twitter.com/YJCXU9rCR9
— Jeff Kolb (@JeffKolbFOX4) January 27, 2025
Despite being an offensive coordinator in the National Football League for 14 seasons with the New York Jets, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and Dallas Cowboys, Schottenheimer has ended just one season with a top ten offense, and that was in 2023. Furthermore, in half of those seasons, his offense failed to crack the top 20 in the league.