The Dallas Cowboys Officially Designate Brian Schottenheimer as Their New Coach
The Dallas Cowboys are shaking things up by promoting an in-house candidate to take over for departing head coach Mike McCarthy. Enter Brian Schottenheimer, the team's offensive coordinator since 2023. Word on the street is that Schottenheimer has landed the top job, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, with an official introductory press conference set for Monday at 11 AM local time.
As it turns out, the Cowboys surprised many by opting for an internal hire instead of seeking out a fresh face to lead the team out of McCarthy's stagnant tenure. Rumors had swirled about Dallas looking for a change-maker to replace McCarthy, but team owner Jerry Jones bucked convention once more by going with Schottenheimer. The veteran coach was previously hinted at as a top contender earlier in the week.
During his time as the Cowboys' offensive coordinator, Schottenheimer led the league's top-scoring offense in 2023. However, the team took a significant step back in 2024, finishing a disappointing 21st in scoring with an average of 20.6 points per game. Injuries to key players, such as quarterback Dak Prescott, were a contributing factor to the team's regression and their 7-10 record.
In his coaching career, which began as an assistant with the St. Louis Rams back in 1997, Schottenheimer has served as offensive coordinator for the New York Jets, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and Jacksonville Jaguars – earning a wealth of experience along the way. While Schottenheimer has enjoyed some success leading top-10 scoring offenses, his performance as an offensive coordinator has been inconsistent, with only two top-10 offenses in total yards to show for it.
Delving into the Cowboys' Decision to Hire Brian Schottenheimer
Since Jerry Jones acquired the Cowboys, the team has operated under the strong influence of its enigmatic owner. He's made it clear that he is the master of the house, reiterating his position earlier in January by stating: "I bought this for me."
One report suggests that the hire was actually Jones' son, Stephen Jones, the current CEO of the Cowboys, who favored Schottenheimer. While Jones the Elder reportedly sought a more splashy hire, such as Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, it seems that the elderly Jones ultimately won out.
Regardless of who was pulling the strings, one thing is clear: the Cowboys cannot afford a misstep with this hire. The team has now endured the longest NFC Championship Game dry spell following the Washington Commanders' nail-biting win last week, recording their last title-game appearance all the way back in 1995.
Schottenheimer's first order of business will be to establish a solid coaching staff, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. As the Dallas Cowboys get set to face top-tier contestants in their division, they must quickly regain their competitive edge to refocus their bid for the Championship.
Sources:
- Football Outsiders
- Pro-Football-Reference
Enrichment Insights:
- Schottenheimer's coaching career spans over two decades, with extensive experience as an offensive coordinator for various NFL teams.
- He has led five offenses to the top 10 in scoring, with significant success in Seattle from 2018 to 2020.
- However, challenges with consistent success and total yards have plagued Schottenheimer's offenses throughout his career.
- Schottenheimer's promotion to head coach marks a new challenge for him, as he will be leading a team for the first time in the NFL.
The Cowboys' decision to promote Brian Schottenheimer as their head coach despite speculations of seeking an external candidate was widely discussed. Jerry Jones, the team owner, was reportedly influenced by his son, Stephen Jones, who favored Schottenheimer. As a former offensive coordinator for multiple NFL teams, Schottenheimer aims to assemble a strong coaching staff, particularly focusing on the defensive side, to help the Cowboys regain their competitive edge in their division and ultimately, refocus their bid for the Championship.
