The Dallas Cowboys' season hit a new low on Sunday, but owner Jerry Jones is not about to hit the panic button on his coaching staff. After watching his team blow a multiple-score lead in the fourth quarter and fall to the Arizona Cardinals in overtime, Jones made it crystal clear: Brian Schottenheimer is staying put.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday night, Jones confirmed there would be no midseason coaching shakeup, despite the team's disappointing 3-5 record. The Cowboys had the game in their grasp, leading comfortably heading into the final frame, only to let it slip away—a collapse that has fans and analysts alike calling for drastic changes.
But Jones, ever the loyal owner, isn't listening to the noise. According to Todd Archer, Jones said he is not considering any kind of coaching changes and still has confidence in Schottenheimer. Instead of pointing a finger at his head coach, Jones shifted the blame to the entire roster and staff.
"Well, I will say that a lot of people let Brian down today," Jones said postgame. "So for whatever criticism we want to have with Brian, we can all get in line. And that was a total team loss to use a cliché. That was a total team effort out there for us. And we have to be better for our fans, have to be better than that when we got our hands on the win and then drop the ball."
The owner's stance is firm. He even referenced his past decision to fire Wade Phillips midseason, but made it clear that history won't repeat itself here. "I made a change and I don't want to mention it because I'm not proud of it," Jones said. "But I made a change with Wade Phillips there in the middle of the season, and I don't see that here."
This vote of confidence comes as the Cowboys' playoff hopes grow dimmer by the week. Dallas hasn't reached an NFC Championship Game this century, and with a 3-5 record, that drought seems destined to continue. The front office went all-in this offseason, trading away significant future draft capital to bolster the roster, but so far, the investment has not paid off.
"We've put ourselves in a position where we need to win now," Jones added. "But I believe in this team and this coaching staff. We're going to work through this together."
The loss to the Cardinals was particularly gut-wrenching, as the Cowboys controlled the game for three quarters before unraveling. The defense, which had been stout early, couldn't make a stop when it mattered most, and the offense stalled in crunch time. It's a familiar script for a team that has struggled to close out games all season.
As the Cowboys look to right the ship, the pressure will only intensify. But for now, Schottenheimer's job is safe, and Jones is standing by his man. Whether that's the right call remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Cowboys' season is on the brink.
For more on the latest coaching rumors, check out Rex Ryan's surprising push for the Maryland job and Brian Kelly's interest in three college vacancies. And for a look at a legendary coach's legacy, read about the passing of June Jones.
