Brian Schottenheimer, the new offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, recently opened a team meeting with a focus on accountability, incorporating humor to engage his players. He utilized a memorable scene from the movie “Talladega Nights,” where Will Ferrell’s character, Ricky Bobby, speaks to baby Jesus, to emphasize his points. Schottenheimer’s different style is an effort to create that culture that will help the Cowboys navigate through the minefield that is an NFL season.
As it turned out, Schottenheimer had a pretty good sense of humor. So I decided, “I will not be doing the postgame prayer anymore.” When you’re that emotional, with all the roller coasters of a game, you shouldn’t be the one talking to God. His unorthodox comments signal a willingness to be real and honest with the players.
Transitioning to New Roles
Conor Riley, who recently took over as offensive line coach for the Cowboys, makes the move to the NFL with an impressive 22 years of coaching experience on the college football landscape. He’s spent the past six years coaching defensive backs at Kansas State. During that process, he honed his craft as a player developer. Transitioning to a professional environment presents new challenges for Riley as he adjusts to the pace and expectations of the NFL.
This time around, Riley knows the premium placed on finding positive chemistry with players and setting a meritocratic, competitive tone. His deep experience coaching at the collegiate level has afforded him a different perspective with great insight into player development and creating strategy.
In a podcast interview the other day about his coaching philosophy, Lincoln Riley talked about how important it is for players to learn to be themselves. Or rather, be yourself—making sure that you’re going to be yourself. Don’t try to be somebody else. The coach that you are, you received this opportunity in part because of that. Be yourself,” he advised.
Former Cowboy Jourdan Lewis Shines with Jaguars
The former Dallas Cowboys cornerback is turning heads this offseason. He is in the midst of making a switch to joining the Jacksonville Jaguars now. Lewis has been one of the stars of Jaguars camp, showing off his impressive athleticism and play-making ability on a daily basis. Most impressively, he has picked off two passes and displayed his position flexibility, as he has lined up both outside and inside during drills.
Lewis’s practice performance bodes well for his readiness heading into the 2023 season and begs the question of how he left Dallas in the first place. The Cowboys’ coaching staff should be encouraged, but they’d clearly like to see a return to form. They’re putting themselves into position to creatively craft their roster for the competition.
Either way, Lewis is certainly making waves with his new team. At the same time, Cowboys fans get a bit misty-eyed as they remember his tremendous contributions when he was in Dallas. His knack for hitting the big shot, the big play not only makes him legendary, but shows you his commitment and skill as a player.
Strengthening Team Dynamics
Instead Schottenheimer puts stock in an environment that encourages candid conversation in the locker room. Simultaneously, he points out the need for accountability inside the traveling circus. Orhan entirely believes that humor is the most important part of building good working relationships within your crew.
He remarked on his own emotional responses in tight situations: “I actually cursed. Yeah, just yeah, I cursed. I asked God to help us in the red zone. I said, like, ‘Damn, we left some opportunities out there.’ So I fired myself from doing the postgame prayer.” This vulnerability humanizes not only him, but creates space for players to be vulnerable themselves and learn from failure.
The hiring of coaches such as Lunda Wells is just as important in establishing a culture and developing on-field player skills. One thing players have emphasized is the importance of hands-on drills with Wells, including his lessons on the difference between catching bare-handed versus with gloves. As one of his players said, “A lot of it is the touch on the ball. This really shows how Wells’ coaching methods focus on the basic skills.
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