Jerry Jones evaluates Brian Schottenheimer’s first season as Dallas Cowboys head coach

It’s been an up-and-down season for the Cowboys in head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s first year in charge.

There’s been highlights like the big come-from-behind win over the Eagles and Thanksgiving victory over Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. But there’s also been plenty of lowlights, like the ugly home loss against the Cardinals and blowouts against the Broncos and Bears.

So what does Cowboys owner Jerry Jones make of his first-year head coach?

Jones was asked exactly that on a Friday appearance on 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM). Here’s what he had to say about Schottenheimer:

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Jones’ comments have been lightly edited for clarity.

Jones: “Well, I’ve, of course, had the opportunity to be around, at least three, now, first-time coaches. Jimmy then, of course, Dave Campo. Really in the pros have been around I think it’s 5 or 6.”

He ranks right there with all of them. [He’s] has had an outstanding year, and it doesn’t surprise me because of all of the wealth of experience that he had on coaching staffs in pro football and in the NFL. And it doesn’t surprise me because of his youthfulness, his vim and vigor for never having done the head coaching function before, and he’s been relentless.”

He’s used his skills that, his premium skills, which is his ability to communicate. His ability to relate both with his staff and his players and he’s outstanding. He’s technically as sound as you can draw up and we like his philosophy of how to play football.

We’ve had some adversity this year. He’s met them head on. He’s had slip-ups that every coach would have and does have no matter how long you’ve been coaching. And he meets those head on and comes back and doesn’t make those same mistakes again, or if he makes them, it was a mistake. So, bottom line is I’m very pleased with his first year as coach.”

Are there any particular challenges that come with a first-time head coach?

Jones: “I think so.”

And particularly for him, he needed to draw on everything he had with his experience around the NFL. Frankly, and I’ve said it, so you’re probably tired of hearing it. He grew up around it.

But let me tell you one thing, he’s the busiest guy in town. Not only is he calling the plays, but he’s supervising or keenly involved. You can’t call him unless you’re involved in that. But at the same time, he’s had the kind of challenges that you can’t draw up relative to the team, relative to individual issues on the team and some of the setbacks that we’ve had. The adversities that come with being disappointed in how you’re playing on the field, he’s had it all.”

And if you drew up a training ground, a smorgasbord for a first year, you’d have it with what he’s dealt with. We’re certainly disappointed with where we were and that was asking a lot for us to feel like we should be significantly further along, but I understand why we feel that way and he feels that way. But boy, he’s made progress and we’ve got a great future ahead.”

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