Jerry Jones Decides Who He Wants to Be the Cowboys’ Coach
Jerry Jones, the owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, is one of the most polarizing figures in the world of sports. Known for his brash demeanor, wealth, and unwavering desire to keep his beloved franchise at the pinnacle of success, Jones has been at the helm of the Cowboys since 1989. Under his leadership, the team has experienced both extraordinary success and painful failure, but what has remained constant is Jones’ unyielding control over all aspects of the franchise, including the hiring and firing of coaches. When it comes to choosing the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones’ decision is not one to be taken lightly. The coach will not only shape the future of the team on the field but also influence the image and identity of one of the most storied franchises in the National Football League (NFL). In this essay, we will explore the intricacies of Jerry Jones’ decision-making process and examine how his unique personality, football philosophy, and leadership style impact his choice of head coach.
The Unquestioned Authority of Jerry Jones
From the moment Jerry Jones purchased the Dallas Cowboys for $140 million in 1989, he has maintained an iron grip on the operations of the franchise. He has often been described as a “hands-on” owner, making decisions on everything from player personnel to branding. While other NFL owners tend to delegate day-to-day operations to general managers, Jerry Jones has consistently chosen to take on that role himself. This means that when the time comes to hire a new head coach, Jerry Jones doesn’t simply rely on a search committee or external advisors—he is the final word in the decision-making process.
Jones’ authority as the Cowboys’ owner and general manager is perhaps best exemplified by the firing of legendary coach Tom Landry in 1989. Landry had led the Cowboys for 29 seasons and built the franchise into one of the most successful teams in NFL history. Yet, despite Landry’s accomplishments, Jones decided to part ways with him in favor of hiring Jimmy Johnson, a former University of Miami coach with no NFL head coaching experience. The decision to fire Landry was controversial and met with significant backlash from fans, but Jones stood firm. The hiring of Jimmy Johnson proved to be a stroke of genius, as Johnson helped lead the Cowboys to back-to-back Super Bowl titles in the 1990s.
Jones’ willingness to make bold, and sometimes unpopular, decisions is part of what makes him such a powerful figure in the NFL. His ability to evaluate coaching talent, combined with his unrelenting ambition to win championships, shapes the way he approaches the hiring process.
Jerry Jones’ Football Philosophy
When evaluating potential head coaches, Jerry Jones considers several factors, one of the most important being his football philosophy. While many owners are content to let their coaching staff implement their own systems, Jones is deeply involved in shaping the identity of the Cowboys on the field. He wants a coach who shares his vision for a high-powered offense, a fast-paced defense, and a team-first mentality.
Jones has always been an advocate for offensive innovation and is known for his willingness to embrace new ideas. He has long been a proponent of utilizing advanced statistics and analytics to evaluate players and game strategies. He also values coaches who are adaptable and can evolve with the ever-changing landscape of the NFL. For example, when the Cowboys hired Jason Garrett as head coach in 2010, Jones believed Garrett’s balanced approach to offense and defense, along with his familiarity with the team’s personnel, made him an ideal candidate. Garrett’s tenure was marked by a commitment to building a strong offensive line and running game, which mirrored Jones’ belief in the importance of controlling the line of scrimmage.
In recent years, Jones has shown a preference for coaches who emphasize versatility and adaptability. The NFL is a league in which trends can change quickly, and Jones wants a coach who can keep up with those shifts. He’s also drawn to coaches who can motivate players and build strong relationships with them. As someone who has always prided himself on his ability to connect with players, Jones sees the head coach as someone who must not only be a tactician but also a leader who can inspire and manage a locker room full of high-profile athletes.
The Influence of Past Coaches
Jerry Jones’ decisions about head coaching candidates are heavily influenced by the success and failure of past coaches. Since firing Tom Landry, Jones has gone through a series of high-profile coaching hires, each of whom has left their mark on the team. The most successful and impactful of these hires, of course, was Jimmy Johnson. Johnson brought a new level of discipline and structure to the Cowboys, while also making bold moves that transformed the team’s roster. Under Johnson’s leadership, the Cowboys became known for their “Triplets”—quarterback Troy Aikman, running back Emmitt Smith, and wide receiver Michael Irvin—and went on to dominate the NFL during the early 1990s.
After Johnson’s departure in 1994, Jones hired Barry Switzer, who led the team to a Super Bowl victory in 1995. However, Switzer’s tenure was marked by internal strife and was not seen as a long-term solution for the franchise. Switzer’s success was largely attributed to the roster that Johnson had built, and his inability to replicate Johnson’s level of success led to his dismissal.
The following years saw a series of coaching changes, with Jones trying out various strategies in an attempt to find the right fit. Names like Chan Gailey, Dave Campo, and Bill Parcells all had stints as head coach, with varying degrees of success. However, none of these coaches were able to deliver the sustained success that Jones desired. Parcells came the closest, but even his teams were often hampered by inconsistency and missed opportunities.
In 2007, Jones hired Wade Phillips, whose leadership style was vastly different from the authoritarian approach of his predecessors. Phillips was known for his easygoing demeanor and his ability to connect with players on a personal level. While Phillips did lead the Cowboys to several successful seasons, including a 13-3 record in 2007, he was never able to push the team over the hump in the postseason, and he was eventually let go.
The hiring of Jason Garrett in 2010 marked a new era for the Cowboys. Garrett was a former backup quarterback for the team and had spent time as the team’s offensive coordinator. While Garrett brought a level of stability to the organization, his tenure was marked by missed opportunities and a lack of playoff success. The Cowboys made the playoffs three times under Garrett but were unable to make a deep run. Garrett was ultimately fired after the 2019 season, and Jones began his search for a coach who could take the team to the next level.
The Current Search for a Head Coach
As of the 2025 season, the Cowboys have once again found themselves in the midst of a head coach search. After a disappointing playoff exit, Jerry Jones is faced with the daunting task of finding a coach who can take the team back to the Super Bowl. With a roster full of talented players, including quarterback Dak Prescott, running back Tony Pollard, and defensive standouts like Micah Parsons, the Cowboys are in a prime position to contend for a championship. The question, however, is who will be the man to lead them there?
At the center of Jones’ decision-making process is a focus on finding a coach who can get the most out of the talent on the roster. He will undoubtedly look for someone with a proven track record, either as a head coach or as a coordinator, who has experience in building a championship contender. Jones has often leaned on his network of contacts within the NFL to help identify potential candidates. He may consider hiring a coach with a background in offensive innovation, as this has been a hallmark of Jones’ philosophy. Alternatively, he may opt for a defensive-minded coach who can help elevate the team’s defense to championship levels.
Jones is also likely to place a premium on leadership qualities. He wants a coach who can command the respect of the locker room and manage the high expectations that come with being the head coach of the Cowboys. The coach will have to be able to work with Jones himself, who is known for his outspoken and occasionally meddlesome nature. The relationship between Jones and his head coach has always been a crucial aspect of the team’s success. A coach who can manage that dynamic will likely have a leg up in the hiring process.