FRISCO, Texas — Things are moving quickly this week for the Dallas Cowboys as it relates to filling the vacancies within their coaching staff, for there are many to be filled, and not much time to do so. With Brian Schottenheimer being named head coach, Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator and Nick Sorensen as special teams coordinator — offensive coordinator remained in flux, but no more, following two interviews with Klayton Adams.
On Friday, Adams officially agreed to terms to join the Cowboys in that exact role, offensive coordinator, rounding out the top three seats behind Schottenheimer for 2025 and beyond, according to multiple reports.
He beats out other candidates such as current Cleveland Browns’ offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, current Atlanta Falcons’ tight ends coach Kevin Koger and Detroit Lions’ running backs coach Scott Montgomery, who all spoke with Dallas’ front office over the past few days.
Adams heads to Dallas after spending the previous two seasons as the offensive line coach for the Arizona Cardinals, heralded for the turnaround he was able to bring about within that unit in the desert.
His coaching resume extends much further back than 2023, though, having began in the collegiate ranks in 2005 — with stints as an offensive coordinator, run game coordinator, tight ends coach and running backs coach — before ascending to the NFL as assistant offensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts in 2021.
With Adams operating as O-line coach, the Cardinals’ rushing attack was ranked seventh in the NFL last season in total rushing yards (2,451) and trailed only the Baltimore Ravens, who boast both Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry, with a second-best league rushing yards per carry average (5.3 ypc).
The Cardinals were also top-10 in rushing touchdowns (18), fifth-most in carries of 20-39 yards (17), and tied for first in the NFL in carries of 40 yards or more (7).
It’s success that carried over from his inaugural 2023 season with the red birds.
In contrast, the Cowboys struggled to get a rushing attack going due to a committee approach that failed fairly quickly, and while finally unleashing Rico Dowdle resulted in a career and record-breaking season for the former undrafted running back, the team as a whole was inept when it came to scoring on the ground —ranked 32nd in rushing touchdowns (6) and 27th in total rushing yards (1,705).
The hope is that Adams can do for the Cowboys what he did for the Cardinals, though Dallas will now have to figure out their running back situation after releasing Ezekiel Elliott and as Rico Dowdle approaches free agency, but it should be noted he hails from Boise State, where a certain record-setting running back prospect hails from as well ahead of this year’s NFL Draft; and that the Cowboys have a longstanding pipeline to the school even prior to the arrival of Adams.
It truly bears mentioning here.
And though the play calling will belong to Schottenheimer, the task of helping to coordinate the offensive attack weekly, while also lending a hand to bolstering the impact of the offensive line, will most certainly be in the hands of Adams.
The Dallas Cowboys have made a major coaching move, with Klayton Adams set to join the team as offensive coordinator under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Adams, who previously served as the offensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts, is known for his innovative offensive schemes and ability to develop young talent.
With Adams on board, the Cowboys are hoping to revamp their offense and take it to the next level. Adams has a proven track record of success in the NFL and is widely regarded as one of the top young offensive minds in the league.
Fans are excited to see what Adams will bring to the Cowboys’ offense and how he will work alongside Schottenheimer to create a dynamic and high-powered attack. With a talented roster that includes star quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott, the sky’s the limit for what this new coaching duo can accomplish.
Stay tuned for more updates on Klayton Adams and the Dallas Cowboys as they prepare for the upcoming season. It’s sure to be an exciting time for Cowboys fans everywhere!
(Editor’s Note: Time to check the mail! The DallasCowboys.com staff writers answer your questions here in ‘Mailbag’ presented by Miller Lite.)
There has been a lot of talk about the risk in hiring Brian Schottenheimer, but how is this any riskier than, say, the Bears hiring Ben Johnson, who also doesn’t have any head coaching experience? If anything, this seems like the safe, comfortable pick for the Cowboys, which, to be honest, I’m not sure is such a good thing. Could they have used more of a shakeup?– Adam Cartwright/Houston, TX
Mickey: Well, my first question then to you Adam, who would you like to have hired as the next head coach? I think you need to read the entire quote from Jerry Jones when he spoke about “risk.” Here you go: “This was risky. This is risky. But by the same token, how often can you take a risk when someone has had over 30, almost 30 years, getting my numbers mixed up, but almost 30 years of being around coaches, of being around players. That’s two thirds of his life. And then the rest of it growing up in a football-oriented, NFL-oriented family, if you will. I think this might make something special.”
Well, before this injury-riddled season, losing your starting QB, not having your Pro Bowl receiver up to speed for the start of the season, how much would you have shaken things up after three consecutive 12-5 seasons? Going into 2024 the Cowboys had the second most wins (36) in the NFL over those three years, just one less than Kansas City (37). Don’t take that for granted, the Cowboys best three-year run since the 36 wins from 1993-95. There is something to be said for continuity, especially on offense. At the end, if shaking things up promotes good health, then I’m all for it.
Many Seattle Seahawks fans are questioning the decision to hire Shane Waldron as the team’s new offensive coordinator. After all, Waldron has never called plays in the NFL before and has limited experience in the league. However, some experts believe that Waldron’s innovative offensive schemes and ability to develop young quarterbacks make him a promising hire. Only time will tell if Waldron can live up to expectations and help lead the Seahawks to success.
Todd Archer is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the Dallas Cowboys. Archer has covered the NFL since 1997 and Dallas since 2003. He joined ESPN in 2010. You can follow him on Twitter at @toddarcher.
FRISCO, Texas — They sat in Jerry Jones’ office at The Star. Dusk was settling in, and the two practice fields below sat partially in the shadows.
As the Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager spoke to Brian Schottenheimer, the team’s offensive coordinator for the past two seasons and a 27-year NFL assistant, Jones laid out a vision for the team’s next head coach.
“You know, [you’d be] a first-time head coach, and I believe we’re hanging around the rim. I think we’ve got in place a team that can get there right now. I had other coaches tell me that were wanting the job, ‘[This team is] right there. Right there,’” Jones said, playing coy with Schottenheimer.
“I just can’t take the risk of going with someone that was doing it for the first time.”
Some seconds passed before Jones smiled and told Schottenheimer he was the next head coach of the Cowboys.
“I really couldn’t speak,” Schottenheimer said, recalling the moment. “Immediately, I went to seeing my father’s face. And knowing how proud he would be of me.”
Marty Schottenheimer was a head coach for 21 years with the Cleveland Browns, the Kansas City Chiefs, Washington and the San Diego Chargers. He won 200 regular-season games.
He was his son’s hero and remains so almost four years after he died from the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. He was 77.
Schottenheimer’s first call from Jones’ office Friday went to his mother, Pat. Sometime after that, he called Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
A toast was made in the owner’s office, and for the next couple of hours, Jones, Schottenheimer and a handful of others went over what’s to come, while also savoring a moment in Cowboys history.
During the Cowboys’ 12-day search, they conducted three other formal interviews and ignored some higher-profile candidates who had drawn attention from other teams. But Schottenheimer, a career assistant who had no other head coaching interviews this cycle, unexpectedly rose to the top of the pool.
The search concluded with Schottenheimer being named the 10th coach in Cowboys history. Jones hopes the move, promoting from within, will pay off with Schottenheimer delivering what Tom Landry, Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer did: win a Super Bowl.
This is how the Cowboys landed on Schottenheimer.
ON JAN. 13, the Cowboys released a statement from Jones saying he and Mike McCarthy, whose contract as head coach had expired after five seasons, agreed to part ways. That concluded days of meetings regarding the fallout from a 7-10 finish.
While no financial figures were discussed, the length of a proposed agreement was a sticking point. McCarthy was seeking a five-year deal, according to multiple sources, while Jones was sticking with three.
At an impasse, both sides agreed it was time to move on.
From there, Jones had conversations with Hall of Fame cornerback and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, but he never had a formal interview.
“Do you think I need to interview Deion to know what we [have] there?” Jones said. “[It was] just conversations about the team and about where he is, his boys, conversations with his boys. That type of conversation. Again, as I’ve said, I’ve talked to a lot of coaches, and Deion has a job.”
On Jan. 17, the Cowboys had a roughly 90-minute virtual interview with current Philadelphia Eagles coordinator Kellen Moore, who played and coached for the Cowboys. Moore was viewed as a front-runner, in part, because of his relationship and success with Prescott as the Cowboys offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2018 to 2022. Jones and executive vice president Stephen Jones said they saw growth and maturity in Moore, 36, after he left Dallas for the Los Angeles Chargers and Eagles.
The next day, Robert Saleh, the former coach of the New York Jets, was the first candidate without previous ties to the Cowboys to interview, impressing the Joneses in a session that was roughly four hours long.
On Jan. 18, Seattle assistant head coach Leslie Frazier spent six hours at The Star. Stephen Jones called the former Vikings head coach a “unique talent.”
Only then did the Cowboys turn fully to Schottenheimer.
One option was for Schottenheimer to remain as the offensive coordinator and playcaller, but as he spoke to the front office for the first time Jan. 21, the Joneses dug deeper into the possibility of him being a head coach.
As they discussed the other candidates, Jerry Jones Jr. chimed in backing Schottenheimer.
“If we went that way [away from Schottenheimer], as much as we’re going down the path, there’d be some heartbreak there [for us],” said Jones Jr., the youngest of Jerry Jones’ three children and the Cowboys’ chief sales and marketing officer.
Schottenheimer came in for a second interview Jan. 22. The discussion was centered around the changes he would make on offense, the type of defense he would want, practice schedules, the coaching staff.
“The more we met, the more we wanted to meet,” Stephen Jones said. “I think that was helping us come to a conclusion on what that decision should be.”
Schottenheimer’s message was getting through.
“The continuity through change,” Schottenheimer said. “I know the players. I know the building. I know our strengths. I know our weaknesses. I know our issues. And the more and more we got into conversations, sitting around and just discussing different things, I wanted it even more.”
Jerry Jones spoke to a number of coaches as references for Schottenheimer. Steve Spurrier, his coach at Florida when he was a backup to Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel in the mid-1990s, was one of them. So was Pete Carroll, Schottenheimer’s boss with the Seahawks and someone Jones considered briefly for the head coach job. Carroll is now the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Schottenheimer spent three seasons as the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator under Carroll, one of nine NFL teams for which he has worked since beginning as a St. Louis Rams assistant in 1997. Russell Wilson threw 106 touchdown passes in his run with Schottenheimer in Seattle. Running back Chris Carson had two 1,000-yard seasons under Schottenheimer. Receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett thrived.
Besides his father, Schottenheimer said Carroll has had the most influence on his career.
Around dinner time on Friday, the Cowboys and Schottenheimer’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, first discussed a contract. Two hours later, the framework of the four-year deal was in place.
Minutes later, ESPN’s Adam Schefter posted to social media a quote from Jerry Jones indicating that Schottenheimer was the coach.
The public reaction was less than flattering, including Hall of Famer Michael Irvin expressing frustration that Sanders, his former Cowboys teammate, was not named coach. Many believed Jones was hiring an inexperienced coach whom he could control. Some of the frustration is related to the 29-year drought since the Cowboys’ last Super Bowl win.
Jerry and Stephen Jones heard the criticism but believed Schottenheimer was the person best qualified for the job.
“This is the best way that we can go to the playoffs and win,” Jerry Jones said.
play
1:07
Brian Schottenheimer confident Cowboys can win a Super Bowl quickly
New Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer tells Todd Archer that the team can compete for a Super Bowl right away.
A LITTLE AFTER 11 a.m. CT on Monday, Schottenheimer walked off the elevator in The Star and passed five Super Bowl trophies representing the organization’s championship past.
The Jones family filled seats in front of one side of the stage, where Jerry and Stephen Jones sat with Schottenheimer in the middle. Schottenheimer’s wife, two children and mother, as well as friends and family, sat on the other.
In the back, Prescott was with teammates Jalen Tolbert, Jalen Brooks, Brock Hoffman, Luke Schoonmaker, DeMarvion Overshown, Tyler Smith and Caelen Carson. Assistant coaches Ramon Chinyoung Sr., Ryan Feder and Steve Shimko stood with vice president of player personnel Will McClay and other staff. The returning strength and conditioning staff, led by Harold Nash, was on the other side of the room.
For more than an hour, Schottenheimer and the Joneses answered questions. Late in the session, Schottenheimer shared a memory from when he was a quarterback at Florida.
“I actually had a card in my wallet that I had written down a goal,” Schottenheimer said. “And it said I wanted to be the youngest head coach in the history of the National Football League.”
That did not happen, but Schottenheimer did have opportunities over the years. He said he interviewed for six jobs, with his first coming in 2007 on the jet of former Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga.
“I thought for a while it might not happen,” he said, “but it’s been a lifelong dream.”
Now at age 51, Schottenheimer’s dream has become reality. Brian’s voice cracked as he spoke Monday, and his eyes filled with tears.
“My father was a legendary coach. A great man. But he’s an incredible father. And he’s impacted me more than anyone in this profession,” Schottenheimer said. “I know he’s looking down on me.”
The family that gave Schottenheimer this opportunity knows a lot about the intersection of football and family. Schottenheimer always wanted to be a head coach because of his dad, and he thought of him Monday, knowing that being the Cowboys’ head coach was not a culmination but a beginning that will give way to intense scrutiny.
“I know he’s proud and I miss him very much,” Schottenheimer said of his dad. “But I know what he’d say to me. He’d say, ‘Brian, the easy part is over. It’s time to get to work.’”
Brian Schottenheimer, the former offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, has been named the new head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. His journey to this position has been a long and impressive one, marked by his dedication to the game and his ability to lead teams to success.
Schottenheimer began his coaching career as an assistant with the St. Louis Rams in 1997, working his way up the ranks before eventually becoming the team’s offensive coordinator in 2012. He then went on to serve as the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets and the Indianapolis Colts before landing with the Seahawks in 2018.
During his time in Seattle, Schottenheimer helped guide the Seahawks to two playoff appearances and an NFC West division title. His innovative offensive schemes and ability to develop young talent caught the eye of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who saw him as the perfect fit to lead his team.
With Schottenheimer at the helm, the Cowboys are looking forward to a new era of success and excitement. His proven track record of success and his ability to connect with players make him the ideal candidate to lead America’s Team back to the top of the NFL.
Fans are eagerly anticipating what Schottenheimer will bring to the Cowboys, and are hopeful that he will lead them to many victories in the seasons to come. Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting chapter in Cowboys history under the leadership of Brian Schottenheimer.
The Dallas Cowboys have found their head coach, and the Cowboys organization and its players continue to offer strong support for Brian Schottenheimer.
From the front office to the locker room, Schottenheimer has earned praise for his leadership and approach. The latest endorsement came from second-year linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, who spoke highly of the new coach’s potential impact on the team.
In an interview with Dallas Cowboys’ team reporter Nicole Hutchinson, DeMarvion Overshown opened up about his recovery from injury and shared his thoughts on both Brian Schottenheimer and Matt Eberflus.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is helped off the field / Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
When discussing Schottenheimer, Overshown had this to say: “When you get a guy a team is gonna play hard for, all 11 guys on the field are gonna play hard every single snap for him, then you’ve got your coach. I feel like that’s what we’ve got in Schotty.”
It’s clear that Overshown believes Schottenheimer has the kind of leadership that motivates players to give their all on every play. There’s been no negative backlash from Cowboys players about Schottenheimer, and Overshown’s endorsement may be the strongest yet.
His comments should get Cowboys Nation hyped after last season’s playoff miss, where it felt like the team lacked cohesion and effort at times. Overshown’s praise is especially meaningful, considering the year he was having before his injury.
DeMarvion Overshown, the star linebacker for the University of Texas Longhorns, recently shared his thoughts on the Dallas Cowboys potentially hiring Brian Schottenheimer as their new offensive coordinator. Overshown expressed his excitement about the possibility, stating that Schottenheimer’s offensive expertise and innovative play-calling would be a game-changer for the Cowboys.
Cowboys fans have been eagerly awaiting news on who will take over the offensive coordinator role, and Overshown’s endorsement of Schottenheimer has only added to their excitement. With Schottenheimer’s track record of success and ability to maximize the talents of his players, many fans believe that he could help lead the Cowboys to a successful season.
Overshown’s comments have sparked a wave of enthusiasm among Cowboys fans, who are now eagerly anticipating the official announcement of Schottenheimer’s hiring. With the potential for a high-powered offense under his leadership, the Cowboys could be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming season.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Cowboys’ coaching staff and how Schottenheimer’s addition could impact the team’s performance. In the meantime, Cowboys fans can’t help but feel optimistic about the future with Overshown’s ringing endorsement of Schottenheimer.
Tags:
DeMarvion Overshown, Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas Cowboys, NFL, football, player comments, fan excitement, sports news
It is unfortunately, as mentioned before, a long road he’s been forced to travel before, but there’s an odd sense of confidence that comes with knowing, this time around, what to expect and how to attack the rehab; two things that were foreign to him in 2023.
“The guys in the training room know exactly what they’re doing,” he explained. “So it’s easy for me to go in there and trust everything they’re doing — knowing that when I get a chance to step back onto that field, I’ll be ready. It couldn’t be better. Everyday, I push myself.
When he does return at some point in 2025, things will look much different from a coaching perspective.
Mike McCarthy has departed as head coach and offensive play caller, with Brian Schottenheimer moving from offensive coordinator to the lead role — one change of many within the staff. The inaugural press conference to introduce Schottenheimer as head coach featured the entire strength and conditioning staff, several assistant coaches (despite remaining unsigned at the moment) and players such as Dak Prescott and, of course, Overshown.
It served as an early testament to the buy-in Schottenheimer already has within the locker room, evidenced further by Overshown taking to X (formerly known as Twitter) immediately following the press conference to post an image of a man running through a brick wall to put an image to how he feels about his new head coach.
“I can say that, when I first got here, there was a smile on his face and he was motivating [someone] — whether it’s defense, special teams, offense — he’s always the coach you can go to and get some type of motivation,” said Overshown. “… When you get a guy a team is gonna play hard for, all 11 guys on the field are gonna play hard every single snap for him, then you’ve got your coach. I feel like that’s what we’ve got in Schotty.
“He’s a guy that wants it as bad as we do — a family guy. Football is his passion. … I can just see it in his face how badly he wants it. … When a coach shows me that side of him, it makes me want to go out there and give 100 percent on every play.”
The additional changes to the staff come on the defensive side of the ball, as Mike Zimmer reportedly heads into retirement and a second reunion in as many years lands by way of Matt Eberflus returning to the organization as defensive coordinator.
It does mark the second defensive coordinator in only three NFL seasons for Overshown to acclimate to, however, but his experience with turnover in defensive leadership is something he became familiar with in his days as a star player for the Longhorns.
He will draw on that experience as Eberflus enters the building.
“I’ve always been able to adapt myself to any situation I’m in,” Overshown said. “I tell myself all the time it’s just different terminology. And learning all these different things from [when it happened] in college, I’m able to apply it when I get to a meeting room with another defensive coordinator. Most times, it’s the same, just different names.
“When you’re into the game as much as I am, a lot of that just comes back to me as soon as I step back on the field. It’s nothing brand new.”
That said, the first mission is exactly that: to step back onto the field. As he works toward achieving it, he’ll do so with a lot of excitement for what he believes will be a turnaround season for the Cowboys in 2025.
DeMarvion Overshown, the standout linebacker for the Texas Longhorns, recently provided an injury update and shared his outlook under new defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and linebackers coach Bob Stoops.
In a recent press conference, Overshown revealed that he has been diligently rehabbing a nagging shoulder injury and expects to be fully cleared for the upcoming season. The talented defender emphasized the importance of staying healthy and being a leader on the field for his team.
Under the guidance of Schottenheimer, Overshown expressed optimism about the defensive scheme and his role within it. He praised Schottenheimer’s coaching style and attention to detail, highlighting the potential for the Longhorns’ defense to make significant strides this season.
With a renewed focus on fundamentals and technique, Overshown is eager to showcase his versatility and playmaking ability in a new system that emphasizes aggressive and disciplined play. Fans can expect to see him flying around the field, making impact plays, and leading the Longhorns’ defense to success.
Overall, Overshown’s injury update and positive outlook under Schottenheimer signal a promising season ahead for the Texas Longhorns. Keep an eye on this dynamic linebacker as he looks to make a significant impact on the field in the upcoming campaign.
FRISCO, Texas — Now that the head coach has been announced, Brian Schottenheimer becoming the tenth in the history of the franchise to stand that post, the Dallas Cowboys will have to move fairly swiftly to fill out the coaching staff around him as the NFL offseason calendar speeds along.
There are plenty of rumors and speculation on who might receive an interview for defensive coordinator, offensive coordinator and what could amount to each respective role of position coach, seeing as each of the incumbent contracts expired on Jan. 14, alongside that of Mike McCarthy’s.
Bookmark this tracker as a means of keeping an eye on the daily ongoings/hirings following the Schottenheimer news, as it will be updated regularly until the staff is completely solidified.
Jan. 28
The expectation has become reality for Eberflus and the Cowboys. A highly-touted defensive mind who once coordinated the defensive passing game for the Cowboys while also coaching up the team’s linebackers corps has officially signed on to return to the organization as defensive coordinator under Brian Schottenheimer. His signing signifies the beginning of what should be a swift filling of roles within the coaching staff.
Jan. 27
Brian Schottenheimer made it clear he is “ready now” to take on the responsibilities of being a head coach, the first of his lengthy football career that has mostly seen him operate as a position coach and/or offensive coordinator. This will also see him calling plays for the first time with the Cowboys in addition to being the team’s head coach, but the search continues for his offensive coordinator.
Jan. 27
Despite his name making the rounds during the Cowboys’ coaching search, with a belief he’d potentially be added as a position coach in 2025, Jason Witten is not expected to join his former team in any capacity this coming season, per owner and general manager Jerry Jones — though Jones continues to praise the future Hall of Famer as a “great coach” and mentor. Witten recently celebrated a Texas state championship as a coach at the high school level.
Jan. 26
As the Cowboys work to nail down the staff beneath Schottenheimer, eyes pivot to the defensive side of the ball, and particularly with Harris no longer in the fold. At defensive coordinator, a role held by Mike Zimmer in 2024, the expectation is that Matt Eberflus — former Cowboys’ linebackers coach and defense passing game coordinator — will reunite with the club to take over the role likely vacated by Zimmer, the latter reportedly opting to retire from the NFL.
Jan. 24
The search for the next Cowboys’ head coach concluded with the hiring of Brian Schottenheimer, the offensive coordinator in Dallas under Mike McCarthy since 2023. It ends a search that included several candidates, headlined by informal talks with both Deion Sanders and Schottenheimer’s previous mentor, Pete Carroll; and along with former Cowboys’ offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.
Jan. 24
Al Harris agreed to terms with the Chicago Bears to take on the role as their defensive passing game coordinator under incoming head coach Ben Johnson, parting ways with the Cowboys after a stellar stretch as defensive backs coach and, in 2024, assistant head coach to Mike McCarthy. It adds to the void that will need to be filled this offseason, and the sooner the better, with the head coach having been chosen and both the East-West Shrine Bown and Reese’s Senior Bowl both taking place in a few days.
The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly finalizing their coaching staff under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, with the appointment of coordinators on both sides of the ball.
On offense, the Cowboys are expected to name former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator George Godsey as their new offensive coordinator. Godsey has spent time with the New England Patriots and Detroit Lions, and brings a wealth of experience to the position.
On defense, the Cowboys are set to promote Joe Whitt Jr. to the role of defensive coordinator. Whitt has been with the team since 2020 as the secondary coach, and has been integral in developing the young talent in the Cowboys’ defensive backfield.
With Schottenheimer at the helm and a strong coaching staff in place, the Cowboys are poised to make a strong run in the upcoming season. Stay tuned for more updates on the team’s coaching staff as they continue to finalize their preparations for the 2022 season.
There is a new leader in Dallas and his name is Brian Schottenheimer. The Cowboys officially named Schottenheimer their next head coach after serving as the team’s offensive coordinator for the previous two seasons under former head coach Mike McCarthy. This was a rather puzzling road that Jerry Jones and the Cowboys took to get to Schottenheimer as they delayed parting ways with McCarthy and then decided on a coach who was not getting official interviews for any of the other openings across the NFL.
“I’m surprised, but then as I think back on it, I’m not surprised,” CBS Sports NFL analyst and former two-time Super Bowl champion Bryant McFadden told CBS Sports HQ when reacting to the Schottenheimer hire. “With the Dallas Cowboys, you have to expect the unexpected. Their entire mindset with this offseason and how they handled this coaching carousel has been confusing. You didn’t allow Mike McCarthy to interview with other teams just to let him go days later. That didn’t make any sense.
“It felt like they never had a plan and now seeing Brian Schottenheimer promoted as the head coach, the only thing that makes sense for me is that the continuity he has established with the quarterback in Dak Prescott. Yes, he was a quarterbacks coach, so he worked hands-on with Dak Prescott so that relationship is already in place. Outside of that, he’s been a career assistant at best.”
McFadden also stressed that while Schottenheimer had the title of offensive coordinator with the Cowboys, he never called plays, a duty that was held on to by Mike McCarthy. Schottenheimer does have experience calling plays in the NFL, however, working as the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets (2006-2011), the then-St. Louis Rams (2012-2014), and most recently the Seattle Seahawks (2018-2020).
“This promotion is just confusing and the only person who knows exactly what is going on with the Dallas Cowboys is Jerry Jones,” McFadden continued.
Cowboys hiring Brian Schottenheimer shows Jerry Jones’ priority is his own power
Garrett Podell
One of the next questions following Schottenheimer’s hiring is the staff that’ll be put in place around him. There have been some reports that indicate former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus — a former Cowboys assistant coach from 2011-2017 — could return to the franchise as Schottenheimer’s defensive coordinator. Of course, Mike Zimmer was the team’s coordinator on that side of the ball in 2024 and worked alongside Schottenheimer, so it seems logical he could be retained as well.
Regardless of which people are put in place, McFadden did highlight the importance of putting former head coaches in place around Schottenheimer as he takes on the role for the first time.
The Cowboys are looking to rebound after a 7-10 season that was marred by injuries found them on the outside looking in on the playoffs. Moreover, if/when they return to the postseason, Jones will be looking for this Schottenheimer-led squad to finally break through on a deep run that has alluded the organization for quite some time.
Former NFL player and two-time Super Bowl champion, Torrey Smith, took to social media to express his confusion over the Dallas Cowboys’ hiring of Brian Schottenheimer as their new offensive coordinator.
In a tweet, Smith questioned the decision, stating, “The Cowboys hiring Brian Schottenheimer as their offensive coordinator is so confusing to me. What am I missing here?”
Smith, who played for the Baltimore Ravens and the Philadelphia Eagles during his NFL career, is known for his outspoken opinions on football matters. His comments sparked a debate among fans and analysts, with many questioning the rationale behind the Cowboys’ decision to bring in Schottenheimer.
Schottenheimer, the son of former NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer, has served as an offensive coordinator for several teams in the past, including the Seattle Seahawks and the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, his coaching style and offensive schemes have often been criticized for being too conservative and predictable.
It remains to be seen how Schottenheimer will fare with the Cowboys, but Torrey Smith’s comments have certainly added fuel to the fire of speculation surrounding this controversial hiring. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
Todd Archer is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the Dallas Cowboys. Archer has covered the NFL since 1997 and Dallas since 2003. He joined ESPN in 2010. You can follow him on Twitter at @toddarcher.
FRISCO, Texas — After looking outside the organization for Mike McCarthy’s replacement, the Dallas Cowboys chose offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer as the 10th coach in franchise history, the team announced Friday night.
This week, Schottenheimer interviewed with owner Jerry Jones, executive vice president Stephen Jones and vice president of player personnel Will McClay. He has a strong relationship with quarterback Dak Prescott and has connected well with people in the organization, but this will be his first head coaching job.
“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.”
Schottenheimer and the Cowboys agreed to a four-year deal, sources said.
Though Schottenheimer still has to hire his staff, sources told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that former Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus is a candidate for the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator job. Eberflus was a Cowboys assistant from 2011 to 2017.
The Cowboys also interviewed Seattle Seahawks assistant head coach Leslie Frazier, former New York Jets coach Robert Saleh and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who coached with the Cowboys for five seasons, spending 2019 to 2022 as their offensive coordinator.
Schottenheimer, 51, joined the Cowboys in 2022 as a consultant, working mostly with former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. When Moore left for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022 after McCarthy took over playcalling duties, Schottenheimer was hired as the offensive coordinator.
Schottenheimer’s father, Marty, was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington and San Diego Chargers. As a coach, Marty Schottenheimer made the playoffs 18 times in 21 years and reached the AFC Championship Game three times (twice with the Browns and once with the Chiefs). His 200 regular-season wins are seventh most in NFL history.
In Jones’ era as owner, the only other Cowboys head coach to be hired without head coaching experience was Dave Campo, who posted a 15-33 record from 2000 to 2002. Jason Garrett served as the interim head coach in 2010 before landing the full-time job in 2011. He lasted until 2019.
Schottenheimer has been an offensive coordinator with the St. Louis Rams, Jets, Seahawks and Cowboys. He served as the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ passing game coordinator in 2021 before coming to Dallas.
In 12 years as a playcaller, Schottenheimer had four offenses finish in the top 10 in points per game, and three times his offenses were in the top half in the league in yards per game. His best three years came with the Seahawks, when they finished sixth, ninth and eighth in points per game with Russell Wilson at quarterback.
Though he did not call plays under McCarthy, Schottenheimer had a large role in the offense. Team sources say he helped jump-start the offense in 2023. The Cowboys, who scored 30 or more points in seven of their final 11 games, finished with the highest-scoring offense in the league (29.9 PPG) and were fifth in yards (371.6 YPG) that season.
In 2024, the Cowboys’ offense struggled, averaging 20.6 points and 327.5 yards per game. Though curtailed due to injuries, particularly to Prescott, the Cowboys scored 30 or more points just three times this season. The Cowboys and McCarthy opted to part ways Jan. 13 after it became clear the length of a potential extension was an issue, according to multiple sources.
McCarthy went 49-35 in the regular season with the Cowboys, posting three straight 12-5 marks from 2021 to 2023, but he couldn’t continue the playoff success he had with the Green Bay Packers. The Cowboys were just 1-3 in the postseason, losing two games at AT&T Stadium, including a 48-32 defeat to the Packers in the wild-card round after the Cowboys entered that game with a 16-game home winning streak.
Schottenheimer will be tasked to take the Cowboys to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1995 — a 29-year drought.
The Dallas Cowboys have officially announced the hiring of Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach. Schottenheimer, who previously served as the team’s offensive coordinator, will now take on the role of leading the Cowboys to success on the field.
With his extensive coaching experience and proven track record of developing successful offensive schemes, Schottenheimer is expected to bring a fresh perspective and innovative approach to the Cowboys’ game plan. His leadership and strategic thinking will be key in guiding the team to victory in the upcoming season.
Fans are excited to see how Schottenheimer will shape the Cowboys’ roster and work with star players like Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott to take the team to new heights. With his expertise and passion for the game, the future looks bright for the Cowboys under Schottenheimer’s guidance.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Cowboys’ coaching staff and their plans for the upcoming season under Brian Schottenheimer’s leadership. #CowboysNation #BrianSchottenheimer #HeadCoach
Former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is a “prime candidate” to become the Dallas Cowboys’ next defensive coordinator after the team officially promoted ex-offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to head coach on Friday.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the news.
Jeremy Fowler @JFowlerESPN
Sources consider former <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bears?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Bears</a> head coach Matt Eberflus a prime candidate for the <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cowboys?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Cowboys</a> defensive coordinator job under new coach Brian Schottenheimer, per sources. Eberflus was a Cowboys assistant from 2011-17. <a href=”https://t.co/tIPvtLA6II”>pic.twitter.com/tIPvtLA6II</a>
Eberflus was Dallas’ linebackers coach from 2011-2017, adding passing game coordinator duties in 2016 and 2017. He then worked as the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive coordinator for four seasons before the Bears hired him as their head coach in 2022. Eberflus went 14-32 in two-plus campaigns before Chicago parted ways with him on Nov. 29, 2024.
Indianapolis’ defenses fared well under Eberflus, finishing top 10 in scoring in three of his four years there. Obviously, things didn’t work out in Chicago, but Eberflus could easily land on his feet quickly amid links to the Cowboys.
It’s clear Cowboys owner Jerry Jones respects Eberflus from his time in Dallas before, and now he’ll the leading candidate to be in charge of a talented defense that vastly underperformed last year, allowing the second-most points in football (468).
Dallas was in search of a new coaching staff after parting ways with head coach Mike McCarthy after five seasons. The Cowboys brought Schottenheimer in as a consultant before hiring him as the offensive coordinator in 2023. Dallas finished first in scoring in 2023 but fell to 21st in 2024.
His hiring was ultimately a surprise considering that Schottenheimer has struggled at previous OC stops, coupled with the fact that he’s never been a head coach before.
However, Dallas is rolling with him, and now it appears Eberflus will lead a defense that sorely needs to improve after last year’s performance.
According to reports, Matt Eberflus is considered a prime candidate for the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator position under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Eberflus, who is currently the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts, has been praised for his work in developing a strong defense in Indianapolis.
Eberflus has a strong track record in the NFL, having previously served as the linebackers coach for the Cowboys from 2011-2017. During his time in Dallas, Eberflus helped develop players like Sean Lee and Jaylon Smith into top-tier linebackers.
With the Cowboys looking to revamp their defense after a disappointing season, Eberflus could be the perfect fit to lead the unit. His experience and success in the league make him a top candidate for the job.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as the Cowboys continue their search for a new defensive coordinator.
Tags:
Matt Eberflus, Dallas Cowboys, Defensive Coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer, NFL, Coaching Rumors, Football News, Cowboys Defense, Coaching Search, Sports Highlights, Team Stats
FRISCO, Texas — Brian Schottenheimer is all set to officially become the 10th head coach in the history of the Dallas Cowboys, the two sides agreeing to terms on Friday evening after two extensive interviews earlier in the week.
The team will hold a press conference Monday, Jan. 27 at 11 a.m. CT to formally announce the decision.
Schottenheimer is son of the late, legendary Marty Schottenheimer, a former mentor of McCarthy’s and many other current and former coaches around the NFL.
Having joined the Cowboys in 2022 as a coaching analyst, the Schottenheimer heir was promoted to the role of offensive coordinator in 2023, following the departure of Kellen Moore from that role, and that’s where he’s spent the last seasons in Dallas.
Interestingly enough, he and Moore were both vying for the right to be named successor to McCarthy — Moore having recently completed a virtual interview for the position prior to helping to lead the Philadelphia Eagles to the NFC Championship Game.
It was Schottenheimer who boasted the much lengthier resume of overall coaching experience between the two though, despite having not called plays in Dallas during the McCarthy era.
His coaching career began immediately after becoming a national champion for the Florida Gators, taking on a role as an assistant for the (then) St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs in the late 1990s before a collegiate stretch that included a role as wide receivers coach for USC.
He’d then circle back to the NFL as quarterbacks coach for the Washington [Commanders] in 2001. All told, Schottenheimer has been in the coaching ranks in some capacity — be it positionally and/or as an offensive coordinator — for roughly 28 years.
This will be his first stint as a head coach, one of several candidates for the position, and he’ll need to hit the ground running as the Cowboys have now seen four assistant coaches, headlined by Al Harris, depart for other teams during their search for McCarthy’s successor.
After an extensive search, the Dallas Cowboys have officially named Brian Schottenheimer as their newest head coach. Schottenheimer brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as an offensive coordinator for multiple NFL teams.
Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones expressed his excitement about the hire, stating that Schottenheimer’s offensive expertise and leadership qualities were exactly what the team needed to take them to the next level. Schottenheimer is known for his innovative offensive schemes and ability to develop young quarterbacks, making him a natural fit for the Cowboys’ talented roster.
Fans are eagerly anticipating Schottenheimer’s debut as head coach and are hopeful that he will lead the team to success in the upcoming season. With his proven track record of success in the league, there is no doubt that Schottenheimer is the right man for the job. Stay tuned for more updates on the Cowboys’ newest head coach and the upcoming season. #DallasCowboys #BrianSchottenheimer #HeadCoach
