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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones compared his search for a new defensive coordinator to President Donald Trump’s remarks about “running 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 during the first half against the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium. The photo was taken in Arlington, Texas on September 28, 2025. (Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)
Jones was specifically asked by reporters if first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer would have a say in selecting his own defensive coordinator for next season.
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“Trump just said it. I’m running Venezuela,” Jones said, drawing laughter from the room, including from Schottenheimer.
Jones clarified that both Schottenheimer and Jones’ son, Cowboys CEO Stephen Jones, were heavily involved in the decision to hire Eberflus and will be involved in finding his replacement.
“We’re going to do it the same way we’ve made all the calls around here on the staff. I wouldn’t make the call if Stephen didn’t agree with the call. … I wouldn’t do that.
“We will do it the same way we hired Flus. We will do it together and find the best we can.”
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 on August 11, 2025. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)
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Trump said after last week’s military strike in Venezuela that the United States is “going to run the country” in Venezuela until what he described as a safe, orderly and sensible transition can take place.
He framed the role as temporary but necessary, saying the US does not want to allow “anyone else to come in” until conditions are stable.
“We are going to run the country until such time as we can make a safe, orderly and sensible transition,” he said.
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Jones’ strong approach came after the Cowboys were eliminated from the playoffs in Week 16 with the Philadelphia Eagles’ win over the Washington Commanders. Dallas finished its season with a Week 18 loss to the New York Giants and 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 a game on January 4, 2026 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“This is definitely an example of what can happen to you in this game of football. You’ve heard me say that many times. It has fleeting moments of euphoria and they’re made special by having tough times,” Jones said Wednesday.
“I’m disappointed that we’re not in the playoffs and not in good shape to be in the playoffs. So it’s a disappointment.”
