The Dallas Cowboys have hired their next head coach, promoting former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer on Friday to the head coaching position.
The move comes after Dallas parted ways with Mike McCarthy, who led the team for five seasons. Ultimately, Jerry Jones and the brass in Dallas are looking for consistent playoff success, something McCarthy failed to provide during his tenure.
The hope is that Schottenheimer will be able to step in and take the team to the next level after spending three years under McCarthy. While he has not been pegged as one of the top coaching candidates during this cycle, Jones and company are banking on his familiarity with the players, staff, and offensive system in Dallas to lead the Cowboys to success.
Here’s everything you need to know on why the Cowboys hired Schottenheimer.
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Why did the Cowboys hire Brian Schottenheimer?
The Cowboys’ decision to hire Schottenheimer was driven by one key factor: continuity.
When legendary Cowboys’ head coach Jimmy Johnson made it publicly known that Schottenheimer was a serious candidate for the position, he discussed the importance of maintaining the same offensive system in Dallas.
“This decision is tied directly to the quarterback, Dak Prescott. He signed a $240 million contract, got a no-trade clause. He’s had tremendous success in this system, so it doesn’t make sense to bring in a new offensive system,” Johnson said on Fox’s pregame show ahead of Lions vs. Commanders in the divisional round.
The Cowboys have heavily invested in their offense, signing both Prescott and CeeDee Lamb to massive contracts this past offseason. This duo has proven that they can thrive in the offensive system set up by McCarthy, finishing as a top-five scoring offense in each of the past three seasons where Prescott has played at least 12 games.
Schottenheimer has also shown that he can be successful in the current offensive system. He took over as the offensive coordinator ahead of the 2023 season, a year when Dallas finished with the No. 1 scoring offense and the No. 5 offense in terms of total yardage.
The hope is that Schottenheimer will be able to pick up where McCarthy left off on the offensive side of the ball without a hitch. On top of that, Jones has pegged Schottenheimer as the guy who can get the Cowboys over the hump and beyond the divisional round for the first time since 1995.
According to Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys are giving Schottenheimer a four-year deal.
MORE: Revisiting Marty Schottenheimer’s playoff letdowns
Brian Schottenheimer contract
The details of Schottenheimer’s contract have not yet been reported.
Brian Schottenheimer coaching history
Schottenheimer has been coaching since the late 1990s, spending 25 seasons as an NFL coach in some capacity. Early in his career, he spent time under his father, Marty Schottenheimer, when he coached in Kansas City, San Diego, and Washington. Brian has since ventured out on his own, taking on offensive coordinator roles for several teams.
| Year | Team/School | Role | Team Record |
| 1997 | St. Louis Rams | Offensive Assistant | 5-11 |
| 1998 | Kansas City Chiefs | Offensive Assistant | 7-9 |
| 1999 | Syracuse University | Wide Receivers Coach | 7-5 |
| 2000 | University of Southern California | Tight Ends Coach | 5-7 |
| 2001 | Washington Redskins | Quarterbacks Coach | 8-8 |
| 2002 | San Diego Chargers | Quarterbacks Coach | 8-8 |
| 2003 | San Diego Chargers | Quarterbacks Coach | 4-12 |
| 2004 | San Diego Chargers | Quarterbacks Coach | 12-4 |
| 2005 | San Diego Chargers | Quarterbacks Coach | 9-7 |
| 2006 | New York Jets | Offensive Coordinator | 10-6 |
| 2007 | New York Jets | Offensive Coordinator | 4-12 |
| 2008 | New York Jets | Offensive Coordinator | 9-7 |
| 2009 | New York Jets | Offensive Coordinator | 9-7 |
| 2010 | New York Jets | Offensive Coordinator | 11-5 |
| 2011 | New York Jets | Offensive Coordinator | 8-8 |
| 2012 | St. Louis Rams | Offensive Coordinator | 7-8-1 |
| 2013 | St. Louis Rams | Offensive Coordinator | 7-9 |
| 2014 | St. Louis Rams | Offensive Coordinator | 6-10 |
| 2015 | University of Georgia | Offensive Coordinator | 10-3 |
| 2016 | Indianapolis Colts | Quarterbacks Coach | 8-8 |
| 2017 | Indianapolis Colts | Quarterbacks Coach | 4-12 |
| 2018 | Seattle Seahawks | Offensive Coordinator | 10-6 |
| 2019 | Seattle Seahawks | Offensive Coordinator | 11-5 |
| 2020 | Seattle Seahawks | Offensive Coordinator | 12-4 |
| 2021 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Pass Game Coordinator | 3-14 |
| 2022 | Dallas Cowboys | Consultant | 12-5 |
| 2023 | Dallas Cowboys | Offensive Coordinator | 12-5 |
| 2024 | Dallas Cowboys | Offensive Coordinator | 7-10 |
Brian Schottenheimer age
Schottenheimer was born on Oct. 16, 1973 in Denver. He is currently 51, making him around league average when it comes to the age of current NFL head coaches.
MORE: Why the Cowboys stayed in-house to replace Mike McCarthy
Did Brian Schottenheimer play football?
Although he was born in Denver, Schottenheimer played his high school ball in Kansas, where he led Blue Valley High School to a state championship in 1991.
He went on to play in college at the University of Kansas and the University of Florida, serving as a backup throughout his collegiate career.
