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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones compared his search for a new defensive coordinator to President Donald Trump’s remarks that “he was going to run the country” in Venezuela after dictator Nicolás Maduro was captured by the U.S. military last week.
Jones made the reference during his end-of-year news conference Wednesday, which followed the organization’s decision to fire first-year defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after just one season.
Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus looks on in the first half against the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium. The photo was taken in Arlington, Texas on September 28, 2025. (Jérôme Miron/Imagn Images)
Jones was specifically asked by reporters if first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer would have any say in choosing his own defensive coordinator for next season.
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“Trump just said it, I run Venezuela,” Jones said, drawing laughter from the room, including from Schottenheimer himself.
Jones said Schottenheimer and his son, Cowboys CEO Stephen Jones, were heavily involved in the decision to hire Eberflus and will be involved in the search for his replacement.
“We’ll do it the same way we’ve made every call here regarding personnel. I wouldn’t call if Stephen didn’t agree with the call…I wouldn’t do that.
“We will do the same thing as we hired Flus, we will do it together and find the best in ourselves.”
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones attends the premiere of Netflix’s “America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys” at the Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles, California on August 11, 2025. (FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
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Trump said after last week’s military strikes in Venezuela that the United States was “going to run the country” in Venezuela until a safe, appropriate and wise transition could take place.
He called the role temporary but necessary, saying the United States did not want to allow “anyone else to come in” before conditions were stable.
“We will lead the country until we can make a safe, appropriate and wise transition,” he said.
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Jones’ strong approach came after the Cowboys were officially eliminated from the playoffs in Week 16 with the Philadelphia Eagles’ victory over the Washington Commanders. Dallas closed out its season with a Week 18 loss to the New York Giants and with the most points allowed and fewest passes intercepted in franchise history.
Kavontae Turpin of the Dallas Cowboys is tackled by Raheem Layne #43 of the New York Giants during the game on January 4, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“It’s certainly an example of what can happen to you in this football game. You’ve heard me say that time and time again. There are fleeting moments of euphoria, and those are made special by the tough times,” Jones said Wednesday.
“I’m disappointed that we’re not in the playoffs and we’re not in good shape to be in it. So it’s a disappointment.”
