Jones plays it coy about his head coach

Says Garrett will have NFL job in 2020 … but where?

FRISCO, Texsas — Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has gone from dreaming of a Super Bowl to predicting the future.

In a radio interview Tuesday on 105.3-FM The Fan, Jones not only doubled down on his support of coach Jason Garrett, but he dropped the mic before hanging up.

“Nobody has the exclusive skills to get the job done so that collectively you can win a Super Bowl,” Jones said. “But there are qualified people. Jason Garrett is one of them. In my opinion, Jason Garrett will be coaching in the NFL next year.”

Jones also didn’t say, however, if it would be with the Cowboys.

Garrett is in the final year of his contract. The Cowboys have lost six of nine games and two straight.

Jones called out his coaching staff and seemingly put Garrett on notice after a disappointing loss to the New England Patriots on Nov. 24.

But following an embarrassing loss to the Buffalo Bills, Jones began singing a different, more optimistic tune when many thought he would be ready to make an in-season coaching change.

With the Cowboys still in first place in the NFC East, Jones said Garrett is the right man to lead the team on a redemption tour over the final four games of the season and make a run to the Super Bowl.

“Jason Garrett is a good coach,” Jones said when asked why he didn’t move on from Garrett. “Start right there. He is a good coach. He is one of the smartest coaches and one of the hardest working coaches. He knows this team better than anybody. I am glad to have him. He is the guy for the job.”

RIVERA FIRED: Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper ultimately decided he wanted to get a jumpstart on his search for a new coach, so he fired Ron Rivera, the franchise’s winningest coach, on Tuesday with the Panthers (5-7) all but out of playoff contention following a four-game skid.

Secondary coach Perry Fewell was been named interim head coach. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner will transition to special assistant to the head coach, and quarterbacks coach Scott Turner will serve as offensive coordinator.

Rivera was hired in 2011 and was 76-63-1 in the regular season and 3-4 in the postseason in nine seasons.