Quarterback Dak Prescott isn’t wasting any time letting his feelings be known about incumbent offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer possibly taking over as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
Prescott, who inked a $240 million contract last September, is in favor of Schottenheimer wearing the main headset ditched by Mike McCarthy. He expressed his thoughts on the matter via text to Cowboys beat reporter Clarence Hill Jr. during an appearance on DLL Cowboys.
Brian Schottenheimer Has ‘Right Personality and Brain’
Prescott wasn’t in the studio to share his opinion on Schottenheimer, and Hill refused to drop the name, but the implication was clear. The quarterback was putting it out into the ether without saying it directly.
Hill picked up his phone on camera, looked at a text message, smiled, and reported: “I did get a text from a player, probably No. 4. He’ll be ready for the next step. He has the right personality and brain.”
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott (probably) texted @clarencehilljr during @DLLS_Cowboys with his thoughts on Brian Schottenheimer possibly becoming the next head coach…
Prescott saying: “He’ll be ready for the next step. He has the right personality and brain.” 👀 #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/5hX3Xo9JDL
— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) January 23, 2025
The promotion would make sense for a Cowboys franchise that rarely does what anyone thinks they are going to do. NFL Network reported that Schottenheimer is scheduled for a second interview in Dallas following a four-hour first interview earlier this week.
The 51-year-old offensive coordinator is an organizational darling, with Ian Rapoport saying: “Well-respected in the building … Schottenheimer has been an OC for more than a decade. Intriguing option to take the next step.”
Evaluating Schottenheimer’s Credentials
Schottenheimer just concluded his third season in Dallas, beginning his tenure in 2021 as a consultant before taking the reins as offensive coordinator in 2023. The Cowboys ranked 16th in total offense in 2024, with 5,583 total yards, 328.4 yards per game, and 20.6 points per game.
Pro Football Network gave the Cowboys’ offense a D+ grade (68.2) in its Offense+ metrics. They ranked 28th in passing success rate and 29th in EPA (expected points added) per dropback. Before Prescott’s season-ending injury in Week 9, Dallas ranked 27th and 22nd in those respective categories.
"We are watching the fall of a great American institution." @ColinCowherd reacts to report of Cowboys closing in on Brian Schottenheimer as head coach pic.twitter.com/QpAj7IJZuw
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) January 23, 2025
Outside of that, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones seems enamored with Schottenheimer’s impressive résumé. He’s the son of legendary coach Marty Schottenheimer, which helped pave the way for an expansive football career spanning nearly 28 years.
The younger Schottenheimer has coached at the collegiate level — wide receivers coach at Syracuse (1999), tight ends coach at USC (2000), offensive coordinator at Georgia (2015) — interspersed with big-time jobs in the NFL, including offensive coordinator roles with the New York Jets, the then-St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and Cowboys.
Cowboys’ Coaching Search Rolls On
While Schottenheimer has vaulted to front-runner in the Cowboys’ coaching search, he’s not the only name in consideration. Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore remains in the mix after completing a first interview last week prior to his Divisional Round playoff win.
Long-time Cowboys reporter Ed Werder also mentioned two coaches on the Washington Commanders’ staff as names to watch: offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and running game coordinator Anthony Lynn. The latter coached the Cowboys’ running backs from 2005-06 under Bill Parcells.