Brian Schottenheimer, the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys since 2022, has a rich history rooted in football excellence and leadership. From his formative years at Blue Valley High School to his current role in the NFL, Schottenheimer's journey is marked by key influences, including his high school coach Steve Rampy and his father, Marty Schottenheimer. These influences have shaped his coaching philosophy and his approach to leadership on and off the field.
At Blue Valley High School, Brian Schottenheimer played under Coach Steve Rampy, who introduced the phrase "BYA," which stands for "Bring Your Attitude" or "Bring Your A-game." Rampy was known for his intense and demanding coaching style, yet he managed to make football enjoyable for his players. He used the "BYA" slogan to promote team unity and togetherness, even providing his players with shirts emblazoned with the phrase. Schottenheimer, a quarterback and team captain at the time, embodied these values of hard work and leadership, traits that were evident even in his teenage years.
"Absolutely each day, like, 'Hey, get up and bust your ass to be the best you can be or get up every day and work your ass off to be the best you can be.'" – Brian Schottenheimer
Coach Rampy's mentorship left a lasting impact on Schottenheimer. Despite not being the most physically dominant player, Schottenheimer stood out for his mental acuity and ability to motivate teammates.
"His strengths were not physical. It wasn't like he was going to throw for 5,000 yards and he's going to run all over. His strengths were his mind, leadership and pulling people together and motivating teammates." – Steve Rampy
An anecdote from Coach Rampy highlights Schottenheimer's commitment to team unity. During a practice, an offensive tackle expressed disappointment over not receiving a "BYA" t-shirt. Schottenheimer's response was immediate and selfless.
"One of the big offensive tackles is pouting in the locker room, saying he didn't get a T-shirt, and I'm all about togetherness. If one guy is doing it, everybody's doing it or we're not doing it at all," – Steve Rampy
"Brian took his shirt off, gave it to him and got in the kid's face." – Steve Rampy
Schottenheimer's father, Marty Schottenheimer, was a successful NFL coach who greatly influenced Brian's career path. Despite initial reservations about following in his father's footsteps, Brian found encouragement from mentors like Bill Cowher.
"He said, 'Marty, you're missing the boat. The fact that Brian got into coaching is a compliment to you because you made it fun for him. He respects you and he's following in your footsteps,'" – Bill Cowher
After high school, Schottenheimer transferred to the University of Florida to play under Coach Steve Spurrier, a decision influenced by Spurrier's familiarity with his father. At Florida, Schottenheimer continued to develop as a quarterback and a leader.
"He was attentive about everything, that's for sure." – Steve Spurrier
"He was always trying to learn everything he could about our offense." – Steve Spurrier
Under Spurrier's guidance, Schottenheimer honed his skills and deepened his understanding of the game. His time at Florida was formative, helping him establish a foundation for his future coaching career.
Schottenheimer began his coaching journey in 1997 with the St. Louis Rams under the tutelage of Dick Vermeil. His career trajectory included roles with several NFL teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins, and San Diego Chargers. This diverse experience prepared him for his role as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
Throughout his career, Schottenheimer has maintained the intensity and competitiveness that characterized his high school days. His leadership style emphasizes unity and hard work—principles instilled in him during his formative years at Blue Valley High School.
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