Cowboys hire coordinator Brian Schottenheimer as head coach
The Dallas Cowboys have announced the appointment of Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach, marking the tenth in franchise history. The decision comes after a period of deliberation and interviews conducted by the team’s top executives, including owner Jerry Jones, executive vice president Stephen Jones, and vice president of player personnel Will McClay.
Schottenheimer, who has had a successful career as a coordinator and has established strong relationships within the Cowboys organization, is stepping into his first head coaching role. Known for his connection with quarterback Dak Prescott, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position. “Brian Schottenheimer is known as a career assistant,” Jones told ESPN. “He ain’t Brian no more. He is now known as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.”
Both parties have agreed on a four-year deal, according to sources. Schottenheimer now faces the task of building his staff, with indications that former Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus is a potential candidate for the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator position.
Other interviewees for the head coach position included Seattle Seahawks assistant head coach Leslie Frazier, former New York Jets coach Robert Saleh, and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Schottenheimer, 51, initially joined the Cowboys in 2022 as a consultant and was later appointed as the offensive coordinator.
He continues a family legacy in football, as his father, Marty Schottenheimer, was a renowned NFL head coach, leading teams like the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, and San Diego Chargers. Marty Schottenheimer had an illustrious coaching career, making 18 playoff appearances and obtaining 200 regular-season wins, the seventh most in NFL history.
Schottenheimer’s appointment marks the second time in Jones’ tenure as an owner that the Cowboys have hired a head coach without prior experience in the role. Jason Garrett was the first, serving as interim head coach in 2010 before landing the full-time job in 2011, a position he held until 2019.
Throughout his career, Schottenheimer has served as an offensive coordinator with several teams, including the St. Louis Rams, Jets, Seahawks, and Cowboys. He has also worked as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ passing game coordinator in 2021 before his stint in Dallas.
Schottenheimer’s offenses have consistently ranked among the top in the league, with four of them landing in the top ten in points per game. This includes his tenure with the Seahawks, where they ranked sixth, ninth, and eighth in points per game with Russell Wilson as quarterback.
Despite not calling plays under the previous head coach, Mike McCarthy, Schottenheimer played a significant role in the team’s offensive strategies. His contributions have been credited with reviving the Cowboys’ offense in 2023, resulting in the team having the highest-scoring offense in the league that year.
As the new head coach, Schottenheimer’s primary task will be to end the Cowboys’ Super Bowl appearance drought, which has lasted since 1995. Fans and the team alike eagerly anticipate the fresh perspective and strategies he will bring to the role.