The Dallas Cowboys recently decided to move on from head coach Mike McCarthy, whose contract with the organization was up. After weighing McCarthy’s future, owner Jerry Jones ultimately opted not to renew his deal.
On Friday evening, after meeting with numerous candidates, Jones and Co. decided to promote offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to head coach. The move wasn’t a surprise given the reporting that surfaced in recent days, but Dallas fans were very upset about the move.
Fans Furious With Puzzling Brian Schottenheimer Hire by the Dallas Cowboys
Schottenheimer was promoted to head coach after two seasons as the offensive coordinator, and the move even shocked many analysts.
For fans, however, it was a far more egregious mistake, with some calling the idea among the worst potential hires of all time.
One fan described it as “one of the worst hires of all time,” while holding out hope that the news wasn’t true.
Jerry Jones: “Congrats, you’re the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys!”
Brian Schottenheimer: pic.twitter.com/8rM25twzMV
— Oluwajomiloju (@JomiAdeniran) January 25, 2025
The idea was ridiculed and mocked by many. Jones has complete control over every decision made by the franchise and this has always been a cause of concern for the fan base, and this latest move felt like more of the same.
“It makes too much sense. Everyone is trying to take this team away from Jerry. He was never going to hire anyone with a personality or even a voice. He’s hiring his own puppets. I think running this team his way has become more important to him than winning,” one fan said.
It makes too much sense. Everyone is trying to take this team away from Jerry. He was never going to hire anyone with a personality or even a voice. He’s hiring his own puppets. I think running this team his way has become more important to him than winning https://t.co/XZ3bKBiMsl
— pies (@PfNasty) January 25, 2025
Some fans went so far as to debate starting their mock drafts for the 2026 NFL Draft.
When the Cowboys were going through a slump, before injuries completely derailed the 2024 season, Jones had been outspoken about the offense not being up to its 2023 standard when it led the league in scoring.
In particular, he questioned Schottenheimer and his ability to call plays, something fans were all too happy to remind him about.
“So we don’t trust him to call the plays but we trust him to run the team? Jerry Jones you are a sick human being,” one fan said.
So we don’t trust him to call the plays but we trust him to run the team? Jerry Jones you are a sick human being.
— Drew (@drew_gassman) January 23, 2025
But, for a Cowboys team that now holds the longest active streak in the NFC without a Conference Championship Game appearance, it was par for the course for some: “Seems like the same mistake the Cowboys usually make.”
And it harkened back to a similar decision in 2011 when Jason Garrett was named the head coach. “Jason Garrett all over again. Hiring from within and at best getting an average HC instead of branching out to find the best possible option.”
Jason Garrett all over again. Hiring from within and at best getting an average HC instead of branching out to find the best possible option.
— The Blake of Spades (@blakeofspades11) January 23, 2025
Many fans were describing this as the “worst possible hire.”
Although he has paved the way for multiple elite offenses, both with the Seattle Seahawks under Russell Wilson and the Cowboys, his relative inexperience leaves a huge question mark for the team.
And with the caliber of names coming off the board in recent weeks, from Mike Vrabel to Ben Johnson, it felt like a major miscue from Dallas: “The worst possible hiring for the Cowboys job. Jerry going in house to get a coach, rather than trying to find someone from another organization that would fit perfectly,” one fan said.
And with the recent moves by Jones, one fan made a direct comparison between Jones and a former infamous owner in the NFC East. “Jerry is the new Dan Snyder. He’s making the same idiotic moves, but nobody on the team is buying it.”
Jerry is the new Dan Snyder. He's making the same idiotic moves, but nobody on the team is buying it.
— Erik (@Golfn4eva) January 23, 2025
But a bad move for Dallas was cause for celebration for the rest of the league. Philadelphia Eagles fans, in particular, were ecstatic about the decision from their division rival, sarcastically mocking it as a great signing, “As an eagles fan. Love it”
As the rest of the NFC has taken over from Dallas since their dynastic run in the 1990s, their fans have become accustomed to Jones ultimately making poor decisions for his franchise. And they love him as a result.
“OMG WE NEED JERRY TO LIVE FOREVER!!!” he said.
OMG WE NEED JERRY TO LIVE FOREVER!! pic.twitter.com/hovRENUkho
— Nna Mmadu👨🏾🍼 (@_IKENNA_) January 23, 2025
Now, Dallas is entering a new era under a rookie head coach with an uber-expensive roster to deal with. It should be an interesting offseason ahead for America’s Team.
