FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones pushed back hard on the notion that his decision to promote offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to be his next head coach was one made out of comfort.
“I know 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 operate out of my comfort zone, you’re so wrong,” Jones said. “It’s unbelievable. This is as big a risk as you could take: no head-coaching experience. … You just heard him reference his osmosis, his family. Anybody in this room that doesn’t believe the apple doesn’t go far from the tree has missed it someplace down the road. … I like his baggage. I like his baggage. I like his experience.”
However, the longer he talked at Schottenheimer’s introductory press conference Monday, the more he made it appear that way. Jones has long known both of Schottenheimer’s parents — the late Marty Schottenheimer and his wife, Pat, who was in attendance Monday along with Schottenheimer’s wife, two children and extended family.
Marty was an NFL head coach for 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns (1984-1988), Kansas City Chiefs (1990-1998),…
