Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones drew laughs during the team’s end-of-season press conference on Wednesday, likening his role in the upcoming defensive coordinator search to President Trump’s recent statements about the U.S. temporarily “running” Venezuela following the capture of dictator Nicolás Maduro.
Sure, Chief. It’s just like that. You’ve gotta admire Jones’ steadfast sense of humor in the wake of humiliating season after humiliating season.
The quip came in response to a question about whether first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer would have final say in hiring the replacement for Matt Eberflus, who was fired earlier this week after a historically poor defensive season.
“Trump just said it. I’m running Venezuela,” Jones joked. Reporters and Schottenheimer himself laughed out loud.
#Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was asked if he’s going to let HC Brian Schottenheimer hire the next DC.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 7, 2026
“Trump just said it. I’m running Venezuela.” pic.twitter.com/GH1y05oL5I
Jerry Jones Clarifies His Comments
I mean, it makes sense if you think about it. Venezuela has been run into the ground by incompetent leaders with too much control for decades. And so have the Cowboys.
Jerry Jones quickly clarified that the decision would be collaborative, involving himself, Schottenheimer, and executive vice president Stephen Jones — similar to the process used when hiring Eberflus last offseason.
“We’ll make it the same way we’ve made all the calls around here on staff. I wouldn’t make a call if Stephen didn’t agree with the call. … I wouldn’t do that,” he told reporters.
“We’ll do it the same as we hired Flus. We’ll do it together, and come up with as good as we can.”
Jones’ analogy referenced Trump’s comments after a U.S. military operation seized dictator Maduro and his wife, with the president stating the U.S. would oversee Venezuela’s affairs temporarily to ensure a stable transition and prevent further instability.
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The Hunt for a Defensive Coordinator
The Cowboys’ defensive woes were a major factor in the team’s disappointing 2025 campaign, which ended with a 7-9-1 record and no playoff berth — marking back-to-back losing seasons for the first time in over two decades.
Dallas allowed a franchise-record 511 points, ranked near the bottom in most defensive categories, and set unwanted marks for points and yards surrendered. They made some of the worst quarterbacks in the league look like Hall of Famers. And made every running back look like Barry Sanders.
Jerry Jones expressed disappointment over missing the playoffs but emphasized optimism for 2026, citing Schottenheimer’s leadership, quarterback Dak Prescott, and the offense as bright spots. He also noted the team is open to hiring a defensive coordinator without prior head-coaching experience, breaking from recent trends.
We’re supposed to believe it’s a good thing that the guy who ran Jimmy Johnson out of town and hasn’t sniffed an NFC Championship game in decades is still in charge of hiring decisions? Jones recently suggested that he’s still the best man for the job of general manager because he brings continuity to the club.
Since the 1990s, the team has endured significant playoff droughts and controversies, with Jones often criticized for his personnel decisions and the team’s failure to return to an NFC Championship game, let alone a Super Bowl. The glory days have remained in the ’90s, popping up occasionally in the minds of delusional fans who foresee a return.
Since winning the Super Bowl in 1995, the storied franchise has just five playoff wins. Fans often note that the only consistent entity during that time has been Jones as general manager. That’s continuity. The continuity of losing.