Dallas Cowboys introduce Brian Schottenheimer as their 10th head coach
Welcome, No. 10.
The Dallas Cowboys introduced the 10th head coach in franchise history on Monday, Jan. 27, when owner Jerry Jones introduced Brian Schottenheimer.
Schottenheimer, the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator, was officially promoted on Friday, Jan. 24, when word leaked out of Frisco that Jones had made his final decision on the replacement of Mike McCarthy, who was not retained after the Cowboys’ 7-10 season.
“Our team, the Dallas Cowboys, will be driven by a competitive spirit and our love for one another,” he said. “I had some opportunities when I was a much younger man when I didn’t think I was ready. I am ready now.”
Schottenheimer, 51, lands his first head coaching job at any level after spending three seasons on McCarthy’s staff and the last two as a non-playcalling offensive coordinator.
“I’m honored and privileged to be the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys,” said Schottenheimer who thanked his family and many players for coming to the press conference.
“This is as big of a risk as you could take,” Jones said when explaining the reason he chose a first-time head coach in Schottenheimer, whom he called “Schotty” throughout the press conference. “This was a thorough, thorough process.”
“Yes, it’s less than a glamorous hire,” he said, directing his comment to the fans. “This was risky, this is risky. By the same token, how can you take a risk when someone has almost 30 years of being around coaches, being around players, that’s two-thirds of his life, the rest of it growing up in a NFL-oriented family. I think it might make something special.”
“I like our shot with Schotty.”
Schottenheimer explained what will make him successful and hopeful of getting the Cowboys to the Super Bowl.
“I’m really good with Xs and Os, but I am great with people,” Schottenheimer said when explaining why building a culture is crucial. “And the type of men we have in this locker room are excited about that. I think as we build this thing out, as the culture comes together, of this team, that’s where I feel like my greatest impact will be felt.”
Jones said it was “time for a change” when it came to replacing McCarthy, but added that the former coach left many good things behind, including Schottenheimer.
The Cowboys also interviewed Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, former Jets head coach Robert Saleh and Seahawks associate head coach Leslie Frazier.
After a growing desire from ownership spurned to expedite the process of McCarthy’s successor, the Cowboys quickly moved on interviewing Schottenheimer last week.
Quarterback Dak Prescott remains was a big advocate of the hiring of Schottenheimer. The duo will look to build on an offensive system that has been in place for the last two years.
The son of NFL coaching legend Marty Schottenheimer, he has spent 14 seasons as an offensive coordinator in the league. His other NFL and college stops have included the St. Louis Rams (1997, assistant), Kansas City Chiefs (1998, assistant), Syracuse (1999, wide receivers coach), USC (2000, tight ends coach), Washington Redskins (2001, quarterbacks coach), San Diego Chargers (2002-2005, quarterbacks coach), New York Jets (2006-2011, offensive coordinator), St. Louis Rams (2012-2014, offensive coordinator), Georgia (2015, offensive coordinator), Indianapolis Colts (2016-2017, quarterbacks coach), Seattle Seahawks (2018-2020, offensive coordinator) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (2021, passing game coordinator).
Throughout his time as a coordinator, only his time in Dallas has seen him not call plays. He has been responsible for five top-10 scoring offenses and two top-10 total offenses in his 14 seasons as a coordinator. In his time in Dallas, he has gained respect by many, including Prescott, for his attentive coaching style and open offensive mind.
Staff writer Nick Harris contributed to this story.
This story was originally published January 27, 2025 at 11:18 AM.