The Dallas Cowboys are on the verge of making a surprising coaching decision by hiring offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach.
According to longtime Cowboys reporter Clarence Hill Jr. of DLLS, the move is expected to be finalized by Friday.
Schottenheimer, 51, has a lengthy history as an offensive coordinator but lacks head coaching experience. The son of former NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer, Schottenheimer has held offensive coordinator roles with the New York Jets (2006-2011), the St. Louis Rams (2012-2014), and the Seattle Seahawks (2018-2020). For the past two seasons, he has worked as the Cowboys‘ offensive coordinator.
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Jerry Jones has resisted calls for major change
Despite Schottenheimer‘s tenure as offensive coordinator, the Cowboys‘ offensive performance in recent years was more closely tied to Mike McCarthy, the head coach who called the plays.
McCarthy‘s departure came after the two sides failed to reach a new contract agreement, leaving the Cowboys with the option of hiring McCarthy’s own coordinator. This decision has drawn considerable scrutiny, as Schottenheimer lacks the experience typically expected from a high-profile coaching job like that of the Cowboys‘ head coach.
Rather than opting for a high-profile candidate, such as former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson (who now coaches the Chicago Bears), the Cowboys appear to be promoting Schottenheimer, a move that has drawn mixed reactions. This is especially surprising given the team’s limited search pool, leading many to question the long-term vision for the Cowboys.
This decision echoes the Cowboys’ previous success under former head coach Jason Garrett, who, like Schottenheimer, was promoted from coordinator to head coach. However, with an aging roster and coming off a 7-10 season, the Cowboys’ future looks uncertain. The NFC East is competitive, with the Washington Commanders seemingly having found their franchise quarterback in Jayden Daniels, the Eagles emerging as perennial contenders, and the Giants steadily improving.
While Schottenheimer‘s familiarity with quarterback Dak Prescott and star receiver CeeDee Lamb may be seen as a positive, the Cowboys will need more than just familiarity to succeed in an NFC with two of the league’s top teams. Schottenheimer‘s past offenses have not been known for explosive success, leaving many questioning whether he can lead the Cowboys to the next level.
One advantage to Schottenheimer‘s hire is that he may come at a lower cost and may not seek as much control over team-building decisions as more experienced candidates would. With Jerry Jones’ significant influence over team operations, Schottenheimer’s willingness to work within Jones’ framework could make him a more appealing choice.
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