What's Cowboys Legend Jimmy Johnson Say About Jerry Jones' Coach Hire?

FRISCO - Coaches know coaches.

So as much abuse as the Dallas Cowboys have taken for a post-Mike McCarthy search that seemed more "cheap than deep,'' the thoughts of Jimmy Johnson might just add some value and perspective to the move to Brian Schottenhemer.

Schottenheimer, the out-of-contract offensive coordinator here the last two years, is now the man in charge

“Brian Schottenheimer is known as a career assistant,” Jerry Jones said via ESPN. “He ain’t Brian no more. He is now known as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.”

“Schotty,” 51, has a lengthy résumé as a coordinator, but this will be his first job as a head coach.

A protege of departed head coach McCarthy and the son of legendary coach Marty Schottenheimer, Brian becomes the 10th head coach in Dallas history.

Dallas conducted officially visits with Leslie Frazier, Robert Saleh, Kellen Moore and finally Schottenheimer, the only one in the group to get a second interview.

Dallas did seemly seemingly flirt at different levels with ideas featuring Deion Sanders, Pete Carroll and Rich Bisaccia and even the legendary Jason Witten.

Schottenheimer, who comes to the head coach role with the thumbs-up endorsement of locker-room leader Dak Prescott - "He'll be ready for the next step,'' Prescott recently said, "he has the right personality and brain'' - also gets an endorsement here from Jimmy Johnson.

Johnson, who with Jerry Jones was architect of The Team of the 1990's that won three Super Bowls in four years, is at the Super Bowl and recently shared his thoughts on the Cowboys' hiring of Schottenheimer as head coach.

"I think he's an outstanding football coach,'' Jimmy said. "He's got a great history as far as being in the league," Johnson said.

Jimmy, part of the FOX broadcasting team that will televise Sunday's Super Bowl 59 between the Eagles and the Chiefs, specifically emphasized Schottenheimer's previous role with the team.

"I think Brian was a big part of putting together the game plans with Mike McCarthy,'' he said. "And so, I think that had a lot to do with him getting the head coaching job."

For many in Cowboys Nation, Jerry making the call isn't endorsement enough of Schottenheimer.

Maybe, just a bit, Johnson's words soothe the nerves.