It might be a game-changer.
The Dallas Cowboys have named Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach, aiming to maintain consistency for quarterback Dak Prescott. Schottenheimer has been working with Prescott as the team’s offensive coordinator over the last two seasons while former head coach Mike McCarthy handled the play-calling duties. Although Prescott expressed his support for McCarthy’s return, the team chose to part ways with McCarthy following the expiration of his five-year contract.
This move makes Schottenheimer the ninth head coach hired by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones since taking over the team in 1989, when he replaced Tom Landry. The coaching change is also part of a series of transitions the Cowboys have gone through since their last NFC Championship appearance in 1995, the same year they won their fifth Super Bowl. Jones had initially brought in McCarthy with the hope that his previous success with the Green Bay Packers could turn the Cowboys into championship contenders again, but despite multiple playoff appearances, McCarthy’s tenure yielded just one postseason victory.
Schottenheimer brings a wealth of experience to his new role, with 25 years of coaching in the NFL, including 14 years as an offensive coordinator. He originally joined the Cowboys as a consultant in 2022 before moving into the offensive coordinator position when McCarthy took back the play-calling responsibilities. In their first season working together, Prescott had a strong year, but the team’s playoff campaign ended in disappointment with a loss to Green Bay. In the following season, an early injury to Prescott derailed the team’s hopes, leading to a 7-10 finish and marking the end of their streak of winning seasons.
Before joining the Cowboys, Schottenheimer worked with several NFL teams, including the Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, and St. Louis Rams, developing a solid reputation as an offensive coordinator. As the Cowboys searched for a new head coach, they reportedly considered other candidates, including Kellen Moore, Robert Saleh, Leslie Frazier, and even former player Deion Sanders. In the end, Schottenheimer’s familiarity with the team and quarterback, as well as his extensive coaching experience, made him the top choice for the position.
