Brian Schottenheimer’s first press conference as the Cowboys head coach felt very familiar.
The Dallas Cowboys have embarked on a new era in 2025, at least in terms of their head coach, with the hiring of Brian Schotteheimer. In the aftermath of the introductory press conference, one can’t help but think that this particular coach and how Jerry Jones talks about him sound very familiar.
Schottenheimer talked about wanting “world-class competitors” on the roster, guys who wanted to “compete every day to be the best version of themselves.” He talked up the importance of building relationships, even putting that skill higher than the “Xs and Os” of football. Remind you of anyone? A guy that used to clap a lot?
When asked why he picked Schottenheimer as his next head coach, Jerry Jones went on about a 10-minute, rambling non-answer but did finally get around to saying that part of the reason why they felt comfortable letting Mike McCarthy leave was that Schottenheimer was waiting in the wings. While that sounds quite revisionist, it does again remind you of a past situation involving a head coach who was fired because Jones’ handpicked successor was already in place.
Yes, we’re talking about Jason Garrett. As Schottenheimer preached passion and love of the game, plus talked emotionally about his family and the influence of his father, Garrett’s typical talking points came to mind. While plenty of coaches say the same things, you can tell the guys who are saying it to just get through the moment (McCarthy) and the true believers. Schottenheimer, like Garrett used to, sounded like he was speaking with absolute sincerity.
While he’s getting better known for his acting chops lately, Jones didn’t seem to be reading lines when he talked about his appreciation for Schottenheimer’s character. While there is no deep history or connection between Schottenheimer and the Cowboys, you can tell that Jones has quickly grown to like the person and especially like how much the players seem to respect him.
It’s a far different relationship than the one he had with Garrett, whose father worked for Jones as a college scout from the moment he bought the team until 2003. Garrett also played in Dallas from 1992-1999, giving Jones a wealth of direct exposure to him on top of the familial fondness. His becoming the Cowboys’ head coach was a perceived eventuality even when he was still the QB coach for the Miami Dolphins, all but written in stone when Jones hired him as offensive coordinator in 2007.
Both growing up in football, Garrett and Schottenheimer took different paths to their first head coaching jobs. Garrett had an NFL playing career and was 44 when he became Dallas’ coach in 2010; only five years after starting in coaching with Miami. Schottenheimer played college ball as a QB, mostly as a backup, and immediately went into coaching after he graduated in 1997. Thanks to having Marty Schottenheimer as a dad, he was able to start his mentorship with the Rams as an assistant and has been going in various capacities ever since with nine different franchises and some college programs in between.
Scottenheimer admitted to not feeling ready when head coaching opportunities had been presented to him in the past, particularly in the mid-2000s while serving as the Jets’ offensive coordinator. But now 51, and with nearly three decades of experience on the sidelines and in the booths, he says he’s finally ready for the big chair.
If Jones sees the same leadership qualities in Schottenheimer that he saw in Garrett then this hire becomes much less surprising. Jones was never more personally invested in a coach than Garrett, evidenced by the nine years Garrett was given to try to finally get the Cowboys back to their former glory. Jones said in the press conference that he felt Schottenheimer was the best option to get Dallas back to the Super Bowl, no doubt a mixed result of the perceived leadership and the value of continuity on offense.
But now comes the hard part; all the good words being put into action. Schottenheimer now has to show he’s still pretty darn good with those pesky Xs and Os, because all of the kumbayah in the world isn’t going get you past the NFC elite. Garrett proved that many times over. A coach who’s had a reputation for offensive conservativism at past stops, Schottenheimer has to show he can keep up with the Ben Johnsons and adapt in the ever-evolving NFL.
The Cowboys front office also has to do right by him now. When pressed on their recent handling of free agency and self-proclaimed salary cap woes, Stephen Jones acknowledged they should learn from teams like the Eagles and Rams but Jerry was quick to throw in that different teams have their own philosophies. If that means more of offseason inactivity that plagued Dallas during McCarthy’s run, and even at times during Garrett’s, then Schottenheimer won’t get his best chance to succeed.
In January, words are all we have. Brian Schottenheimer, Jerry Jones, Stephen Jones, and all the people under them now have to get to work at retooling and preparing this roster to compete in 2025. At the very least, it seems that Schottenheimer is a guy who will be liked and respected. But without those all-important results on the field, the backlash for what is still seen by many as a lazy, unimaginative hire will come hard and fast.