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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones compared his search for a new defensive coordinator to President Donald Trump’s comments about “going to run the country” in Venezuela after dictator Nicolas Maduro was captured by the U.S. military last week.
Jones made the reference during his year-end press 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. (Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)
Jones was specifically asked by reporters if first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer would have a 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 Schottenheimer.
Jones made it clear 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 done all the calls here on staff. I wouldn’t make a call if Stephen didn’t agree to the call… I wouldn’t do that.
“We’ll do it the same way we hired Flus. We’ll do it together and create 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 attacks in Venezuela that the United States is “going to rule the country” in Venezuela until what he described as a safe, proper and judicious transition can take place.
He called the role temporary but necessary, saying the United States does not want to allow “anyone else in” before conditions are stable.
“We are going to govern the country until such time as we can make a safe, adequate and judicious transition,” he said.
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Jones’ strong focus came after the Cowboys were eliminated from the playoffs in Week 16 with the Philadelphia Eagles’ victory over the Washington Commanders. Dallas closed 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, New Jersey. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“This is certainly an example of what can happen to you in this game of football. You’ve heard me say that many times. You have fleeting moments of euphoria, and those become special when times are tough,” Jones said Wednesday.
“I’m disappointed that we’re not in the playoffs and we’re not in good shape to be in the playoffs. So that’s disappointing.”
