Brian Schottenheimer Named Dallas Cowboys Head Coach A Bold, Unlikely Move for America’s Team

The Dallas Cowboys have made a surprising decision in hiring Brian Schottenheimer as their 10th head coach in franchise history. This move, which caught many by surprise, marks a significant step for Schottenheimer, who has spent the past three years with the Cowboys as offensive coordinator.

Schottenheimer, 51, isn’t the name that first came to mind when the Cowboys began their head coach search last week. While he has extensive experience in the NFL, including working as an offensive coordinator for several teams since 1997, this promotion has its share of winners and losers.

Winners:

• Dak Prescott: Continuity was key for the Cowboys’ quarterback, who is entering his 10th season. Prescott enjoyed his best year in 2023, throwing a career-high 36 touchdown passes. With Schottenheimer having been part of the coaching staff during Prescott’s standout season, the hope is that the quarterback can return to that level of production and performance.
• Schottenheimer’s Legacy: As the son of the late Marty Schottenheimer, who amassed 200 regular-season wins but never won a championship, Brian Schottenheimer has big shoes to fill. Now, as head coach, Schottenheimer has an opportunity to finally lead the Cowboys to their first Super Bowl appearance in nearly three decades. With an established quarterback and key star players, Schottenheimer has a strong foundation to build upon.
• Jerry Jones: While Schottenheimer may not be the most popular choice, he is someone who will work well within the Cowboys’ existing structure, avoiding any power struggles. Schottenheimer’s more reserved leadership style means he is unlikely to challenge owner Jerry Jones on football matters, which is just the way Jones likes it.

Losers:

• Deion Sanders: Sanders, the Hall of Fame cornerback and current head coach at Colorado, had been widely speculated as a top candidate for the Cowboys’ job. However, despite his star power and strong marketability, Sanders’ relative inexperience as a head coach ultimately made this an ill-timed move for both him and the Cowboys. It remains to be seen whether Sanders will have a future shot at the NFL head coach position, but this particular situation wasn’t the right fit.
• Mike McCarthy: McCarthy’s five-year run with the Cowboys included a playoff appearance and three consecutive 12-5 seasons. Despite his popularity in the locker room, McCarthy’s failure to advance in the playoffs ultimately led to his departure. While McCarthy may not be in a terrible position, he could struggle to find a similar opportunity with as much talent as the one he had in Dallas.
• Schottenheimer’s Job Security: While Schottenheimer has factors working in his favor, he’s inheriting a team with high expectations. In a division that has been unpredictable, and with fans eager for a Super Bowl win, Schottenheimer’s tenure will likely be under intense scrutiny. His job security may not be as secure as that of Prescott, and he’ll also have to navigate possible influence from Jerry Jones on staffing and decision-making.

In the end, Schottenheimer’s promotion signals that the Cowboys are looking for a steady hand and someone who understands their system. While there’s no shortage of doubt surrounding this move, Schottenheimer has the opportunity to prove that this was more than just a temporary fix. The Cowboys’ future now rests on his ability to lead them out of their championship drought, but whether he’s up to the challenge remains to be seen.