Three men sat at the podium during Monday’s introductory press conference at The Star. One of them, the one taking over as the 10th head coach in franchise history, likely gave fans cause for optimism. Brian Schottenheimer came across as thoughtful, intelligent, and heartfelt as he previewed his offensive philosophy, explained where the team is in its retooling efforts, and talked about the impact his legendary coach of a father had on him.
The two men flanking him, the ones who hired him, did little to reassure the faithful that the organization is capable of changing its mindset and rebranding itself as a legitimate winner. Jerry Jones rambled about himself and made the front office’s approach this coaching search even more confounding than it already seemed, while Stephen Jones got basic facts wrong and condescendingly dismissed the primary complaint that most of the fanbase shares.
In addition to everything noteworthy that came out of Monday’s press conference, we’ll fill you in on the latest in the search for the new skipper’s coordinators and coaches as the Coach Schottenheimer era in Dallas officially begins.
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Brian Schottenheimer will call plays as Dallas Cowboys head coach :: Dallas Morning News
The search for a new offensive coordinator continues, but Schottenheimer will call plays on gameday, the team has confirmed. In an interesting development, it was revealed Monday that former head coach Mike McCarthy would have continued to call plays had the team retained him as head coach… and Schottenheimer would not have stayed in Dallas. Stephen Jones told reporters that Schottenheimer “was ready to go somewhere, and he had opportunities to go call plays [elsewhere].”
Brian Schottenheimer believes Cowboys can win ‘quickly’ :: ESPN
The new head coach believes he’s already ahead of the curve in his takeover of the team that hasn’t been to a Super Bowl in 29 years. “We can hit the ground running pretty fast because 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,” Schottenheimer said. “I’ve had some opportunities when I was a much younger man that I didn’t feel like I was ready. I’m ready now. I know what I want. I know what it looks like.”
Schottenheimer previews offensive philosophy :: Nicole Hutchison
5 opposing coaches Cowboys’ Schottenheimer is going to have prove himself better than in 2025 :: Cowboys Wire
As a 51-year-old first-time head coach in a division that yielded the NFC’s top two teams, Schottenheimer will have his challenges laid out in front of him. Head-to-head matchups with other coulda-woulda-shoulda- Dallas candidates Ben Johnson, Pete Carroll, Aaron Glenn, Kellen Moore, and Kliff Kingsbury will settle the pecking order pretty definitively.
Schottenheimer praises Prescott :: Clarence Hill Jr.
Cowboys’ Jerry Jones likes Brian Schottenheimer’s ‘baggage,’ but says his coach’s hiring was a ‘risk’ :: The Athletic
Referring to Schottenheimer’s many years on various NFL staffs without a head coaching gig as “baggage,” Jones also said “I like that experience” when introducing him on Monday. “He’s had 25 years being around the kinds of things that he’s gonna have to draw on to be a coach of the Dallas Cowboys.” Schottenheimer does know the system, has high energy, and is already well-liked by his players. But will he get the necessary support from the front office? Jones claims he’s still taking risks, and admits Schottenheimer is one of them.
Cowboys Jerry Jones getting backlash for bizarre behavior during coach introduction :: Athlon Sports
Jones gave a rambling 11-minute answer when asked about Schottenheimer’s qualifications, but the rant was far more about Jones rather than the coach he had just hired. At various points, Jones droned on about how many Senior Bowls he himself has attended and re-told (yet again) his well-worn story about getting picked up from a flight on his jet in an old Ford Bronco.
Stephen Jones uses air quotes to dismiss Cowboys’ very real Super Bowl drought :: RJ Ochoa
Stephen overshoots how many games Cowboys have won since 2010 :: Saad Yousuf
The family business: Brian Schottenheimer reflects on his father’s impact :: The Mothership
The Cowboys’ new head coach was quick to thank his dad for his new opportunity in Dallas. Marty Schottenheimer is one of the NFL’s all-time winningest head coaches and was Brian’s greatest influence. Brian pledged to dedicate his first Super Bowl win with the Cowboys to his late father but said he knows Marty would have advice for the here and now: “He’d say to me, ‘Brian, the easy part is over. It’s time to get to work.’”
Jerry Jones confirms Deion Sanders was never a serious candidate for the Cowboys job :: Yahoo Sports
The Cowboys owner told media members on Monday that his Hall of Fame cornerback was never a serious candidate to be the team’s 10th head coach, despite widespread rumor and speculation… and a very highly-publicized informal phone conversation. Jones explained that Coach Prime “already has a job” but admitted that he and his family “think the world of” Sanders.
2025 Staff Tracker: Jason Witten not expected to reunite with Cowboys :: The Mothership
Earlier projections assumed Witten would be placed on the 2025 coaching staff, but the club seems to have cooled on the idea. The future Hall of Fame tight end is not expected to join the team in any capacity at this time, though Jerry Jones continues to praise Witten as a “great coach” and mentor.
Cowboys interview ex-Bears head coach Matt Eberflus for defensive coordinator role :: Dallas Morning News
The former Bears head coach was brought in to interview Monday at The Star in Frisco. Eberflus has a decade of experience as a defensive coach in the NFL, including seven seasons on staff in Dallas as linebackers coach and then passing game coordinator from 2011 to 2017. Bears secondary coach Andre Curtis and Dolphins outside linebackers coach Ryan Crow are other names who also will reportedly interview for the position, but Eberflus may have the edge based on the continuity he would bring.
Cowboys expected to hire Nick Sorensen as special teams coordinator, report says :: Dallas Morning News
The Cowboys are said to be closing in on Sorenesen, who has spent the past three seasons in San Francisco. Sorensen has some familiarity with Schottenheimer, thanks to previous coaching stops together in Seattle and Jacksonville. Chris Banjo of the Broncos and Carlos Polk of the Bears were also reportedly linked to interviews for the position.
Report: Cowboys interview Schottenheimer’s former right hand to tutor Dak Prescott :: Cowboys Wire
Kerry Joseph worked in Chicago with Caleb Williams in 2024 and in Seattle for four seasons prior, including one year under Schottenheimer. The college dual-threat quarterback spent time in the NFL and NFL Europe, and he was a CFL Grey Cup champion. He is now a candidate to become the Cowboys’ QB coach.
