The Dallas Cowboys have never been a franchise that shies away from bold moves. Still, the decision to promote Brian Schottenheimer to head coach left many scratching their heads.
While Cowboys fans expected a somewhat underwhelming coaching search led by Jerry and Stephen Jones, Schottenheimer’s elevation was a surprise few saw coming.
What Schottenheimer lacked in initial buzz, however, he’s tried to make up for with charisma and strong staff selections. His approachable personality and early leadership moves have begun to earn the trust of fans. But for many in the national media, it’s going to take a lot more than likability to be convinced.
Ranked 31st: National analysts cast doubt
CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin recently released his 2025 NFL head coach rankings, and Schottenheimer found himself sitting near the bottom-ranked 31st out of 32. He was grouped in the “unproven or underwhelming” tier, with only Tennessee Titans rookie head coach Brian Callahan ranked lower. Even Kellen Moore, a former Cowboys assistant who interviewed for the job before landing in New Orleans, ranked higher at No. 29.
“Yes, Schottenheimer’s name may be bigger than his résumé,” Benjamin wrote.
“But this man first held a coordinator job way back in 2006; it’s not like he’s totally lacking in NFL chops.
“Are we sure there isn’t a remote possibility he makes like, say, Doug Pederson – another former NFC East hire who was overlooked by all except his own team’s powerful front office – and proves to be just the approachable leader Dallas needs?”
It’s a fair point. Schottenheimer brings decades of experience in the league, even if most of it came as a coordinator rather than a head coach. Still, he’s stepping into one of the most pressure-packed jobs in all of professional sports, with a fanbase starved for postseason success.
The Cowboys’ decision to promote from within rather than go for a splashy external hire is vintage Jerry Jones. Whether it pays off remains to be seen. What’s clear is that Schottenheimer now faces the immense challenge of not just managing expectations-but exceeding them.
Given the talent on the Cowboys’ roster and the continued playoff frustrations of recent years, Schottenheimer won’t have the luxury of a grace period. Every play call, every loss, and every decision will be under a microscope. That pressure can either forge success-or expose flaws.
While rankings like Benjamin’s reflect widespread doubt, they also offer Schottenheimer an opportunity: to prove everyone wrong. Much like Doug Pederson once did in Philadelphia, Schottenheimer could turn an underwhelming hire into a defining success.
For now, the critics are loud, the expectations are high, and the runway is short. But if Brian Schottenheimer can deliver results, respect will follow – and so might a playoff run Cowboys Nation has been waiting decades to see.
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