To replace Mike McCarthy as head coach, the Dallas Cowboys may be nearing the end of the hiring process. Ever since Dallas broke off its relationship with McCarthy on January 13, owner Jerry Jones and company have been interviewing.
The first interview opportunity went to Robert Saleh, the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers and former head coach of the New York Jets. Jones was also informed about the vacancy by Deion Sanders. However, that appears to be a very unlikely scenario.
Dallas was not a serious contender for Detroit Lions coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn because Jones waited so long to move on from McCarthy. In the end, Johnson made an unexpected move and joined the Chicago Bears. Glenn made his way to the Jets.
The Cowboys’ former offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore, has emerged as a leading contender in their search for a new head coach. He is currently working for the Philadelphia Eagles in the same capacity as they get ready for the NFC Championship Game on Sunday. If the Eagles make it to the Super Bowl, it will be more difficult because Dallas cannot interview Moore until the end of the season.
We now have more information about what Dallas may do in the future. It would be an understatement to say that it is surprising. Additionally, it will make Cowboys supporters a little queasy.
The Cowboys are getting closer to elevating current offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to head coach, according to a report published Thursday by veteran Cowboys beat writer Clarence Hill Jr.
“Look for the Cowboys to cross the finish line on hiring Brian Schottenheimer no later than Friday, possibly today,” Hill reported on X.
During his second face-to-face interview with the Cowboys’ management on Wednesday, Schottenheimer, who joined Dallas as offensive coordinator in 2023 and led the team’s top-scoring offense in his first season, took a significant step back in 2024, finishing 21st in scoring, partly due to injuries to Dak Prescott and others.
Understanding Brian Schottenheimer as the Leading Prospect for Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas supporters are erratic. They are perfectly entitled to be here. After the Washington Commanders punched their ticket to the championship round last week, the Cowboys now hold the record for the longest NFC Championship Game drought. Since the conclusion of the 1995 season, they have not succeeded. To put that into perspective, Prescott was two years old at the time.
This would not be a desirable hire for Big D fans. It would not be a huge coaching change to replace Mike McCarthy with an internal hire following a disappointing 7-10 season, and it would be a slap in the face to McCarthy, showing that Dallas’ management believed he was the only reason for their problems, which is obviously untrue.
Nonetheless, this makes perfect sense to Jones. The vocal owner has recently made it abundantly evident that he is in charge of Dallas. The boss is him.
“I think the first thing that came out of my mouth was, ‘I bought the team.’ Someone asked, ‘Did you buy this for your kids?’ I said, ‘He** no. I bought it for me.’ And I didn’t buy an investment,” Jones said earlier in January when discussing relinquishing his position as chief decision-maker, according to The Athletic.
By hiring Shottenheimer, Jones would be able to hold onto this authority with minimal opposition. Since joining the then-St. Louis Rams in 1997, the seasoned assistant has held a number of assistant positions but has never served as an NFL head coach. One of the recurring themes appears to be Jones consolidating power.
The fact that the Cowboys were connected to six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick prior to his appointment as head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels is a little unexpected.
“Had he known the position would become available, Dallas is thought to have been interested in Bill Belichick, who would have been interested in the Cowboys’ job,” Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports recently reported.
Belichick and Pete Carroll, for example, would bring success that Schottenheimer hasn’t shown us. They might therefore be viewed as significant internal challenges to Jones’ authority.
Regarding Schottenheimer’s background, he was offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks (2018–2020), St. Louis Rams (2012–2014), and New York Jets (2006–2011). During his 14 years as a coordinator, Schottenheimer has guided five offenses that have finished in the top ten in terms of scoring, but only two of them have finished in that range in terms of total yards.
Schottenheimer’s coaching background and experience would be an asset. For twenty-one years, his father, Marty, was the head coach of four different NFL teams.
Looking for an offensive mind makes sense for Dallas from an on-field standpoint. Quarterback Dak Prescott has a record four-year contract worth $240 million. They must ensure that he is in the best possible position for success. Of course, there is disagreement over whether Schottenheimer should be chosen.
One prominent name jumps out as part of the possible coaching staff Schottenheimer is trying to assemble for the Cowboys. Last season, he would have served as their defensive coordinator, but they wouldn’t “pony up the cash,” according to remarks made recently by former NFL head coach Rex Ryan. Never a boring minute in Big D. That’s certain.
Here, one thing is evident. Jones, 82, is aware that he must be successful in hiring a new head coach and staff. Dallas had hopes of winning the Super Bowl going into the 2024 season, but they ended up losing ten or more games.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders, the two teams’ main division rivals, will face off in the NFC Championship Game.
The Dallas Cowboys must undergo a culture shift within the organization and coaching staff if they hope to relive their heyday of the 1990s.
Whether promoting an internal candidate like Brian Schottenheimer would accomplish that is obviously up for debate.