Todd ArcherJan 24, 2025, 10:46 PM ET
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Todd Archer is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the Dallas Cowboys. Archer has lined the NFL since 1997 and Dallas since 2003. He joined ESPN in 2010. You may comply with him on Twitter at @toddarcher.
FRISCO, Texas — From Tom Landry to Brian Schottenheimer.
Schottenheimer was named the tenth coach of the Dallas Cowboys on Friday and the ninth in Jerry Jones’ tenure as proprietor and normal supervisor, becoming a member of Corridor of Famers Landry, Jimmy Johnson and Invoice Parcells among the many workforce’s head coaches.
Schottenheimer replaces Mike McCarthy, who was 49-35 within the common season and 1-3 within the postseason in 5 seasons with the Cowboys.
McCarthy was employed to get the Cowboys over the proverbial hump, however Dallas has the longest NFC Championship Recreation drought within the convention at 29 years with the Washington Commanders attending to the title recreation this season.
The Cowboys will flip to a first-time head coach in hopes of bringing the franchise’s sixth Tremendous Bowl trophy — and fourth beneath Jones — again to Dallas.
The search that led Jones to Schottenheimer, 51, didn’t embrace any big-name interviews, although he did have a dialogue with Corridor of Famer Deion Sanders, the College of Colorado head coach. The Cowboys interviewed Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh and Seattle Seahawks assistant head coach Leslie Frazier.
Taking a more in-depth look, Cowboys reporter Todd Archer solutions 4 large questions concerning the hiring, together with what comes subsequent. Nationwide reporter Jeremy Fowler dishes on what he’s listening to concerning the rent, and draft analyst Matt Miller spins it ahead to the draft. Lastly, analyst Ben Solak grades the rent.
The Cowboys keep stability with Brian Schottenheimer as the brand new head coach, however how will he put his stamp on issues? Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports activities
What’s Schottenheimer’s teaching background?
He’s a coach’s child. His father, Marty, was head coach in Cleveland, Kansas Metropolis, Washington and San Diego. Marty’s 200 wins are seventh most in NFL historical past, and he took the Browns and Chiefs to 3 AFC Championship Video games.
Brian has been an NFL assistant coach for twenty-four years, serving 14 of these years as an offensive coordinator, together with the previous two with the Cowboys, though he didn’t name performs. He was the playcaller for the New York Jets (2006 to 2011), Rams (2012-2014) and Seahawks (2018-2020).
He’s recognized extra as a run-first coordinator, however in his three years with the Seahawks, Russell Wilson threw 106 landing passes with 25 interceptions. He additionally known as performs for the ultimate 4 video games of the 2021 season, when he was the passing recreation coordinator with the Jacksonville Jaguars after City Meyer was fired. — Archer
Why did Schottenheimer get the job over the likes of Moore and Sanders?
If Sanders by no means actually interviewed for the job, was he actually a candidate? Based on sources, Moore did properly in his digital assembly with the membership. Maybe timing harm his candidacy for the reason that Eagles stay alive within the playoffs.
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However Schottenheimer had a supporter in quarterback Dak Prescott. The 2 have a very good relationship, and in response to folks in and across the workforce, Prescott likes Schottenheimer’s creativity. After a sluggish begin offensively in 2023, the assumption from some was that Schottenheimer performed an element within the schematic adjustments that led to the offense taking off within the closing 13 weeks of the season, even when former coach Mike McCarthy was calling the performs.
It’s onerous to low cost familiarity. Regardless of being round for simply three seasons, Schottenheimer has developed good relationships with each a part of the group. And it’s onerous to low cost the fee. Whereas it’s not recognized what he’ll make, Jones just isn’t an enormous fan of paying prime cash to coaches or having giant staffs. — Archer
Will he usher in a brand new teaching employees?
The straightforward reply is sure as a result of your complete 2024 teaching employees is not beneath contract. Particular groups coordinator John Fassel has already moved on to the Tennessee Titans. Some assistants have been instructed they won’t be again, however the Cowboys want to hold some, corresponding to tight ends coach Lunda Wells, who might be a candidate to teach the offensive line.
Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer was noncommittal about his future on the finish of the season, however there are these within the group who imagine he is perhaps performed teaching. Former Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is a chief candidate for defensive coordinator, sources instructed Fowler. Eberflus was a Cowboys assistant from 2011 to 2017.
Since Schottenheimer has been with 9 totally different organizations, he is aware of lots of people within the league. — Archer
Will the 2025 Cowboys roster be ok to contend for a Tremendous Bowl?
Jerry Jones will say so in some unspecified time in the future, however it’s a roster that wants work on either side of the ball after a 7-10 end in 2024. The Cowboys suffered a lot of accidents to key gamers, however that isn’t the only purpose they completed so poorly. Even when the roster was wholesome, the workforce struggled.
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However the bones of the roster are ok to compete with Prescott, WR CeeDee Lamb, LB Micah Parsons, G Tyler Smith and CB DaRon Bland. The Cowboys have key gamers coming off season-ending surgical procedures in CB Trevon Diggs and LB DeMarvion Overshown. They’ve younger gamers like G Cooper Beebe, LT Tyler Guyton and DT Mazi Smith who performed vital snaps in 2024 and can have to be higher in 2025. And so they might want to hold key performers who’re set to turn into free brokers like CB Jourdan Lewis and DT Osa Odighizuwa, whereas including gamers in free company. — Archer
What are you listening to across the league on the rent?
Coaches, executives and trade folks I spoke to have been shocked that Schottenheimer rose to the highest of Jerry Jones’ record above seemingly extra certified candidates. Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, a former Cowboys participant and the previous OC in Dallas, was believed to covet the job. There may be shock in league circles that Dallas didn’t wait to discover that chance extra totally.
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That stated, there are causes cited by sources across the league about why a Schottenheimer tenure could be profitable. He’ll convey continuity to the offense and a consolation stage with Prescott — there’s a perception inside the league that Prescott advocated for Schottenheimer.
Individuals across the league imagine Schottenheimer can put a very good employees collectively, probably together with Eberflus because the DC. Schottenheimer has been round a very long time and seen loads — he may not have the identify cachet of a few of these talked about as prospects for the job, however he additionally tasks as somebody who can present a steadying hand for a corporation that appears to draw chaos at each flip. — Fowler
What do the Cowboys want most in Spherical 1 of the draft, and who might be out there at twelfth total?
The whole lot however a quarterback. The Cowboys have a transparent want at operating again with Rico Dowdle set to hit free company. They’re additionally determined for a WR2 reverse CeeDee Lamb and will tackle wants at tight finish, on the sting reverse Micah Parsons, defensive sort out or offensive guard. The Cowboys have lots of holes, however that offers them choices.
Boise State operating again Ashton Jeanty can be a fast repair for the operating recreation if he’s out there. Jeanty rushed for two,601 yards and 29 touchdowns final season, main the FBS in each classes. He’s more likely to be the highest-ranked participant on the board (he’s No. 6 in my rankings) when Dallas comes up, however the Cowboys are craving playmakers all through the offense. Ought to Dallas resolve to attend at operating again due to the depth on the place, Missouri large receiver Luther Burden III or Penn State tight finish Tyler Warren may contribute instantly. — Miller
How would you grade this rent?
C. What was the purpose of transferring on from McCarthy to advertise his offensive coordinator? Is one thing going to alter schematically with one other department off the West Coast tree? Is recreation administration supposed to enhance with a first-time head coach?
I’m positive Schottenheimer has some new concepts and might modernize in some methods, however there’s a purpose he has been a lifelong offensive coordinator. Schottenheimer just isn’t considered as a frontier-pushing head teaching candidate. — Solak
