Brian Schottenheimer, 51, moved into that new role this season of lead big dog on the offensive side as first-year Dallas Cowboys head coach/playcaller. His resume includes coaching stops at six different NFL franchises and is nearly studded with all-time great talent. Now, he’ll be faced with the much different challenge of guiding a storied franchise while game planning and player dynamics come into play. His wealth of experience can’t help but have given him perspectives that few first-time coaches will ever possess.
Schottenheimer enters with a built in advantage as he takes on this leadership role. His three years as the offensive coordinator under Mike McCarthy would have given him some unique insights into the organization. He has cultivated relationships with players and staff, helping him navigate the expectations that come with coaching America’s Team.
Schottenheimer finds himself leaning on trusted figures such as Ryan Feder, a holdover from McCarthy’s staff, and offensive coordinator Brad Idzik, along with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. These relationships would be crucial to keeping the momentum going as Schottenheimer pedals furiously to keep a unified plan of attack.
I know all the parts,” Schottenheimer said to drive home his comfort level with the organization’s blueprint and talent. He recognizes the importance of collaboration, saying, “This is not for people that don’t know how to manage their time.”
To help with that efficiency, Schottenheimer has developed practice schedules. This opens him up to work with the defense and special teams while focusing the bulk of his time on quarterback Dak Prescott and the specific game plan each week. As he starts on what will be his final season, he has been honest about the pressures of being an FBS head coach.
On game day, you can’t have two voices that you’re listening to, Schottenheimer noted. For his part, Connolly feels that a unified point of authority is crucial during the most critical moments in a contest. This becomes even more critical when working in high-temper environments. “So to have that one voice be someone that you have complete confidence in and complete trust in really does matter.”
Schottenheimer’s familial football upbringing put him in a world of Xs and Os since he was a child. His dad, Marty Schottenheimer, was a legendary NFL head coach, instilling his love for the game. This upbringing has played a huge role in the way he approaches coaching and leadership today. “You talk to people all the time. I’ve been thinking about this really my whole life as a professional, what I wanted to do,” he reflected.
Even with all that experience, this will be Schottenheimer’s first time calling plays full-time since 2020 when he was the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks. Throughout his time off of playcalling, he has stayed connected to the game and its advancing strategies. Now, he wants to use that knowledge to create smart game plans that fit the strengths of his players.
Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones has full faith in Schottenheimer’s capabilities. He continued, “Even though he’s not been in the role of the head coach, which is kind of unique. I really like his football acumen, his personality. Jones emphasized Schottenheimer’s diverse experience through numerous coaching staffs as “unbelievable.”
The second most important aspect of Schottenheimer’s coaching philosophy is his ability to listen. Whether its player input or constructive criticism from fellow coaches, the man loves to learn and grow. “It’s a people business and you deal with people’s problems,” said Bill Callahan, another member of the Cowboys’ coaching staff.
As Schottenheimer takes the next step on this new journey, he’s not going to pretend that this is going to be easy. Yet his approach demonstrates deep NFL know-how. He places a premium not only on collaboration with among his coaching staff, but within the players themselves.
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