Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones dropped a bombshell on Monday, Jan. 27, when he introduced new head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
Despite reports to the contrary, Deion Sanders was apparently never a serious candidate for the Cowboys’ head coaching position.
Jerry Jones Wasn’t Serious About Deion Sanders in Dallas
Jones reportedly told the Cowboys beat writer for The Athletic Jon Machota that Sanders was never a serious candidate for the head coaching job.
From talking to Jerry Jones:
— Deion Sanders was never a serious candidate to be the Cowboys’ next coach.
— It doesn’t sound like Jason Witten will be on the coaching staff.
— Brian Schottenheimer will call offensive plays.
— Jerry didn’t feel like he needed to meet with…
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 27, 2025
Jones admitted that, although he and his son Stephen Jones admire Sanders and what he has done at Colorado, there was no formal interview with him for the job.
This revelation upset Cowboy fans across the country that Jones never did an official interview with Sanders for the job.
Jones also admitted he didn’t bother to interview the Lions’ Ben Johnson or Aaron Glenn for the job either.
READ MORE: Why Didn’t the Cowboys Interview Ben Johnson for Head Coach Opening? Jerry Jones Gives Wild Answer
To say Cowboys fans were upset about all this would be an understatement. Fans and former players alike ripped Jones for his decision.
Cowboys Fans Are Upset With the Coaching Revelation
Hearing this news about Sanders and other coaching candidates is just pouring salt in an open wound for Cowboys fans who had to sit and watch two of their biggest rivals face each other in the 2024 NFC Championship Game while their team sat at home.
“Brutal. Whatever acumen Jerry used to have is gone. Bleak time to be a Cowboys fan. Total demoralization,” said one fan.
Brutal.
Whatever acumen Jerry used to have is gone.
Bleak time to be a Cowboys fan. Total demoralization.
— melodante (@melodante12548) January 27, 2025
“I understand this now. The Cowboys are Jerry’s team, not the fans. I used to think it was our team, we are Cowboy Nation, but no. Other teams the fans actually matter and the owner is separated. We are stuck, we have to deal with Jerry. He’s the face, he’s the voice,” said another user.
I understand this now .
The Cowboys are Jerry's team ,not the fans .
I used to think it was our team ,we are Cowboy Nation ,but no . Other teams the fans actually matter and the owner is separated . We are stuck ,we have to deal with Jerry . He's the face ,he's the voice .— Ray Eagle (@bigbearray33) January 27, 2025
“Let me get this straight. The vaunted offense that has struggled for the last several seasons to get the ball in the endzone, especially in big games, was run by the guy who is now in charge of the team and the playcalling? Great news! Jerry Jones is literally the worst owner in the NFL and perhaps in al of sports. He should stick to guest spots on Landman,” added another fan.
Let me get this straight. The vaunted offense that has struggled for the last several seasons to get the ball in the endzone, especially in big games, was run by the guy who is now in charge of the team and the playcalling?
Great news!
Jerry Jones is literally the worst owner…
— Ben Hogan 1953 (@TinCup2020) January 27, 2025
Some Cowboy fans, however, were on Jones’ side.
‘Yall dumb as hell AARON Glenn defense sucked and Ben Johnson called a bunch of trick plays and neither have coached longer then this guy he gets a chance to fail just like the other guys,” said one fan.
Yall dumb as hell AARON Glenn defense sucked and Ben Johnson called a bunch of trick plays and neither have coached longer then this guy he gets a chance to fail just like the other guys
— Derrick Collins (@CollinsDerrick) January 27, 2025
“The only way to find out is by giving him a shot. Time will tell. What did the ‘smart in the know people’ say when Jimmy was hired right out of College? Do you remember were you around? You and everyone else will simply wait and see how this turns out. You never know,” added another user.
The only way to find out is by giving him a shot. Time will tell. What did the “smart in the know people” say when Jimmy was hired right out of College? Do you remember were you around? You and everyone else will simply wait and see how this turns out. You never know.
— Joseph (@jpinkster) January 27, 2025
One thing is certain about this process — no one was going to tell Jones how to run his team.