A nine-time Pro Bowler and Dallas Cowboys legend didn’t hold back when talking about Brian Schottenheimer. When asked about the HC’s impact, he kept it real — no sugarcoating. Schottenheimer took over the head coach duties this season, but the offense hasn’t exactly been lighting up the scoreboard lately.
Some blame execution, others point at the scheme. Either way, this former Cowboy isn’t buying into the hype.
Zack Martin’s Blunt Take on Brian Schottenheimer, Cowboys’ Locker Room Issues
Zack Martin kept it real on radio row, and his assessment of the Cowboys’ struggles last season was as blunt as it gets. The nine-time Pro Bowler pointed to a disconnect in the locker room, and he’s looking at new HC Schottenheimer to fix it.
“I’ve got a ton of respect for Coach [Mike] McCarthy and what he did when he came in here,” Martin said. “But for whatever reason, something was off this year. Things weren’t gelling, weren’t clicking, and I think that’s something Schotty views as A1 importance, to kind of get that fellowship, that brotherhood back in the locker room.”
Zack Martin with us on Radio Row:
"I've got a ton of respect for Coach McCarthy and what he did when he came in here, but for whatever reason something was off this year. Things weren't gelling, weren't clicking, and I think that's something Schotty views as A1 importance, to… pic.twitter.com/Q2DNNRNAiT
— Bobby Belt (@BobbyBeltTX) February 4, 2025
Translation: The Cowboys lacked chemistry, and it showed. Big D gave up 143 yards on the ground and failed to pressure QB Jordan Love in their Wild Card loss to the Green Bay Packers in the 2023-24 playoffs; it exposed a deeper issue, and the Cowboys never recovered in 2024. Martin’s comments suggest that the team’s bond (or lack of it) played a role.
Fans had plenty to say. Some blamed Dak Prescott: “Until Dak is gone, don’t expect anything to change. That brotherhood was gone when they re-signed him.”
Others pointed at McCarthy: “In other words, people were no longer bought in to Mike. Should have got rid of him after that GB game.”
Then there’s speculation about Martin himself. “This sounds like Zack is coming back for one more run if healthy,” one fan noted.
Bottom line: Schottenheimer’s got to rebuild the locker room. Martin’s comments make it clear — it’s Priority No. 1.
Brian Schottenheimer Eyes Quick Turnaround For Cowboys’ Super Bowl Drought
As Schottenheimer walked past five replica Lombardi Trophies on his way to the podium, he couldn’t ignore the weight of Cowboys history.
It’s been 29 years since the team last played in a Super Bowl, or even an NFC Championship Game, the longest drought in the conference. But Schottenheimer made one thing clear: “The objective and the main thing is we want to win the Super Bowl.”
His father, legendary coach Marty Schottenheimer, instilled that mindset early. “Why would you have any other goals?” he recalled his dad saying. “It should be about winning the Super Bowl.” The younger Schottenheimer believes the Cowboys are built to win quickly.
“I feel like we’re kind of ahead of the curve,” he alluded. “I don’t need to learn the decision-makers. I don’t need to learn the quarterback. I don’t need to learn how things work.” His familiarity with the team, after two seasons as OC, gives him a head start most new coaches don’t have.
At 51, Schottenheimer finally gets his shot as a head coach. “I’m ready now. I know what I want. I know what it looks like.” Now, it’s about proving it.