Jerry Jones Says Coach Pay Doesn’t Affect Wins

Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Tuesday there is no correlation between head coach salaries and winning — a claim he made during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas.

Jones responded to questions about perceptions he avoids paying top dollar for head coaches. He said the conclusion came from reviewing data across all 32 teams over many years.

The Cowboys are 3-5 this season. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer is in his second year leading the team. He is reportedly paid between $5 million and $8 million annually — among the lowest salaries for NFL head coaches.

Forbes values the Cowboys at $17 billion — 25% more than the Los Angeles Rams, the league’s second-most-valuable franchise at $13.5 billion. In 2025, Dallas reported $677 million in operating income on $1.28 billion in revenue.

After the 2024 season, Dallas promoted Schottenheimer from offensive coordinator. According to an NFL coaching agent quoted by NFL Network’s Jane Slater, Jones declined to pay $13 million or more for a head coach that hiring cycle. The Cowboys were the only team to interview Schottenheimer.

Jones holds the dual role of owner and general manager. The NFL’s salary cap, draft order and scheduling rules limit structural advantages, but do not restrict spending on coaching staffs or personnel departments.

The Cowboys have not appeared in an NFC Championship Game since the 1995 season.

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