In a move that caught many off guard, the Dallas Cowboys have announced the hiring of offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach. The decision comes on the heels of the Cowboys mutually parting ways with former head coach Mike McCarthy after another disappointing early playoff exit, extending the franchise’s NFC Championship game drought to nearly three decades.
From Coordinator to Top Job
Schottenheimer, the son of legendary NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer, has an extensive coaching resume with 25 years of experience in the league, including 14 as an offensive coordinator. However, this will be his first opportunity as a head coach. The 51-year-old joined the Cowboys staff in 2022 as a consultant before being promoted to OC in 2023 when McCarthy took over play-calling duties.
Rapport with Prescott a Key Factor
One of the likely driving forces behind the decision to elevate Schottenheimer is his strong working relationship with franchise quarterback Dak Prescott. In their first season together with Schottenheimer as OC and McCarthy calling plays, Prescott turned in one of the best campaigns of his career, finishing second in NFL MVP voting. While the Cowboys still suffered a shocking home playoff loss to the Packers, the offensive success clearly made an impression.
“Brian has been a critical part of our offensive gameplan and Dak’s development the past two years, so we believe he is the right man to take us to the next level,” said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
Overcoming Second-Season Struggles
Schottenheimer’s second year in Dallas proved much more challenging, as the offense sputtered even before Prescott was lost to a season-ending hamstring injury. The Cowboys stumbled to a 7-10 record, ending a string of three straight 12-5 finishes. But the Jones family is banking on Schottenheimer’s previous success as an indicator he can right the ship.
Prior to joining the Cowboys, Schottenheimer served as the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator from 2018-2020, with Seattle ranking in the top 10 in scoring offense each season. However, postseason struggles led to his departure. He also had previous OC stints with the Jets and Rams.
Other Candidates Considered
While Schottenheimer was the only candidate to receive multiple interviews, the Cowboys did explore other options. The team held a virtual interview with Eagles OC Kellen Moore, Prescott’s former play-caller, and met in-person with ex-Jets coach Robert Saleh and Seahawks assistant head coach Leslie Frazier. There were also informal discussions with Jackson State coach and Cowboys legend Deion Sanders.
Pressure to Produce Immediately
As always, expectations will be sky-high for the Cowboys under Schottenheimer’s leadership. With Dallas having not advanced past the divisional round since their last Super Bowl win in the 1995 season, patience is wearing thin. Schottenheimer will be the 9th head coach hired by Jerry Jones since he purchased the team in 1989.
- Continuity with Prescott seen as vital
- Must reverse trend of postseason failure
- High-powered offense the bare minimum
There is no grace period for Schottenheimer – he must deliver a contender from day one. With the offensive core of Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Tony Pollard still intact, the pressure is on to produce fireworks and postseason victories. Failure is not an option if Schottenheimer hopes to have any longevity in Big D.
