Frisco, Texas – Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Friday that Mike McCarthy’s future as head coach was never in question, and that he and McCarthy worked together to make sure defensive coordinator Dan Quinn stays with the team.

“The idea of ​​twisting in the wind was not the case at all,” Jones told 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “We were trying to keep Dan Quinn and maintain continuity in the coaching staff.”

Jones said he believed Quinn turned down the opportunity to coach a president to sign an extension with the Cowboys “for years to come.”

Quinn was initially signed to 2023. He still gets paid by the Atlanta Falcons; He served as Technical Director in Atlanta from 2015 to 2020.

Jones said Quinn is the third coordinator the owner has been given to turn down a head coaching opportunity to stay with the Cowboys. Jones said Sean Payton walked away from the opportunity to coach the Oakland Raiders in 2004 and that Jason Jarrett took chances with the Baltimore Ravens and Falcons in 2007.

“I experienced seeing coaches turn down a head coach job because of our situation, so I was trying really hard, and I met up with Dan and Mike,” Jones said.

Jones called it a “competitive situation” for delaying answering questions last week about McCarthy’s future.

“To give us every chance to keep Dan Quinn,” Jones said. “I couldn’t go out and speak in public because I didn’t want to push a team towards it [Quinn]. “

Quinn has interviewed the Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, and Miami Dolphins. He turned down an opportunity to interview the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is still in the mix of current coaching vacancies, but Jones expects to return in 2022 as well.

McCarthy signed a five-year deal as head coach in 2020. He has an 18-15 record over two seasons and finished 12-5 in 2021, winning the NFC East.

Payton’s decision to move away from New Orleans Saints this week has opened more questions about McCarthy’s future, given Jones’ affinity with Payton.

“He is well aware of our longstanding relationship and friendship with Payton,” Jones said. “I haven’t spoken to Sean. I’m not part of any dialogue or any decision-making regarding him leaving New Orleans. My point is, we’ve put this team in good shape, especially at the top, at the coordinator level.”