Cowboys
Who is Brian Schottenheimer, the Cowboys OC who could be their next head coach?
The search for a new head coach is still on for the Dallas Cowboys after they parted ways with Mike McCarthy, and their offensive coordinator could be next.

The Dallas Cowboys are on the hunt for a new head coach after parting ways with Mike McCarthy. With 29 years sitting between them and their last title, the Cowboys are in need of a leader who can finally take them all the way.
Of those they’ve been interviewing, many fans would argue that Brian Schottenheimer is not that person.
Who is Brian Schottenheimer?
Schottenheimer is currently the Cowboys' offensive coordinator. He’s been with the team for three years, first as a consultant and later the OC. Now, they are considering him to fill the head coaching vacancy.
Schottenheimer has extensive experience in assistant coaching, but none in head coaching. However, he does have the familiarity with quarterback Dak Prescott and the Dallas offense that owner Jerry Jones likes in his coaches. In his time as the OC, Schottenheimer has never called plays for the Cowboys, so it’s not clear whether he would do so as the coach, or whether he would hire someone else to do so.
In his 14 years as an offensive coordinator (for the Jets, Rams, Seahawks, and Cowboys), Schottenheimer’s offenses have ranked in the top 10 in total offense just twice and in scoring just five times. One of those times was in 2023, when the Cowboys ranked fifth in total offense and first in scoring (albeit with McCarthy calling the plays).
A look at Schottenheimer’s coaching experience:
- 1997: St. Louis Rams (assistant)
- 1998: Kansas City Chiefs (assistant)
- 1999: Syracuse (wide receivers coach)
- 2000: USC (Tight ends coach)
- 2001: Washington Redskins (Quarterbacks coach)
- 2002-05: San Diego Chargers (Quarterbacks coach)
- 2006-11: New York Jets (Offensive coordinator)
- 2012-14: St. Louis Rams (Offensive coordinator)
- 2015: Georgia (Offensive coordinator)
- 2016-17: Indianapolis Colts (Quarterbacks coach)
- 2018-20: Seattle Seahawks (Offensive coordinator)
- 2021: Jacksonville Jaguars (Quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator)
- 2022: Dallas Cowboys (Consultant)
- 2023-24: Dallas Cowboys (Offensive coordinator)
Along with Schottenheimer, the Cowboys have interviewed Eagles offensive coordinator (and former Cowboys OC) Kellen Moore, former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh, and Seattle Seahawks assistant head coach Leslie Frazier.
Of those candidates, Schottenheimer is the least experienced and seems to be the one about whom fans are the least excited. Even Cowboys Hall of Famer Michael Irvin agreed that Schottenheimer is not the best option for Dallas. Arguably, if the Cowboys do hire Schottenheimer, there will be little to no significant changes in Dallas next season.
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