Cowboys approach Brian Schottenheimer as next coach

On By Littum

The Cowboys are making their push for the most underwhelming coaching hire of the offseason.

Dallas is in the process of hiring offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer as the team’s new head coach, according to longtime Cowboys reporter Clarence Hill Jr. from DLLS.

The move is expected to be completed by Friday at the latest, according to the report.

It could be Brian Schottenheimer’s time in Dallas. AP

Hiring Schottenheimer is sure to be a highly debated decision for America’s Team after the confusing handling of Mike McCarthy’s departure and the team’s rather small pool of candidates.

Schottenheimer, the 51-year-old son of former NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer, has no head coaching experience and is stepping into perhaps the league’s highest-profile job.

He served as offensive coordinator for the Jets from 2006-11, the Rams from 2012-14, the Seahawks from 2018-20 and has been in that role with the Cowboys for the past two years.

The ironic part is that McCarthy called the plays for the Cowboys over the last two seasons, meaning Dallas’ offensive success and/or failures were tied more to him than Schottenheimer.

Dallas could have just kept McCarthy, but the parties couldn’t agree on a new contract and recently parted ways … only for the Cowboys to turn to his coordinator.

Schottenheimer and Dak Prescott (r) during a practice in 2023. AP

For all of McCarthy’s problems, going from a Super Bowl-winning coach who presided over three past 12-win seasons to an unproven first-time coach opens the door for owner Jerry Jones to come under scrutiny.

It would be one thing if the Cowboys were preparing to hire a top name in the coaching cycle like former Lions coordinator and new Bears coach Ben Johnson, but Schottenheimer isn’t seen at that level.

The Cowboys have had success before with an uninspiring coach in Jason Garrett — who may be the template Jones is trying to follow after his ascension from coordinator to coach — but they enter a crucial offseason with a top-heavy aging roster coming from a 7- 10 campaign.

Mike McCarthy called plays while Schottenheimer served as offensive coordinator. AP

Schottenheimer knows quarterback Dak Prescott and star receiver CeeDee Lamb, but the Cowboys need help across the board to compete in a tough NFC East.

The Commanders have seemingly found their franchise quarterback in Jayden Daniels, the Eagles are perennial contenders and the Giants … oh, who are we kidding.

Hiring a coordinator whose offenses haven’t exactly set the league on fire trying to keep up with this year’s two NFC finalists is a bold move.

Jerry Jones steps outside the box for this rental. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

However, Schottenheimer comes cheap and may not ask for as much team-building control as other more experienced candidates may have wanted.

Jones has a big role in how the team is built, and there have been questions over the years about whether he would hire a coach who will challenge his views or even his celebrity status.

Dallas also interviewed Seattle assistant Leslie Frazier, former Jets coach Robert Saleh and Kellen Moore, its former offensive coordinator who is now in the same role in Philadelphia. per Pro Football Talk.