With the retention of both offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, the Dallas Cowboys are mostly set to see the return of a coaching staff -- led by head coach Mike McCarthy -- who led the team to a 12-5 season, but also a disappointing showing in their first-round playoff exit. The latter proves there's still much to be done if the Cowboys want to finally turn a corner that's eluded them for two and a half decades, and they're hoping Brian Schottenheimer, son of the late, great Marty Schottenheimer, will aid their cause.
The 48-year-old is being hired by the Cowboys in a unique role on the coaching staff, per MMQB, one that will presumably see him focus on league trends and game-planning as an assist to both Moore and Quinn. It's a role initially held in 2021 by former New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo, who has now taken the reins as offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers.
Schottenheimer began his coaching career in 1997 for the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, following his father and eventual NFL legend to the Kansas City Chiefs, where he'd made the acquaintance of McCarthy who, at the time, was quarterbacks coach for that franchise. The two formed a relationship that lasts to this day, and has now landed Schottenheimer in Dallas.
Following his brief stay in Kansas City, Schottenheimer headed to the collegiate ranks for two seasons -- returning to the NFL as quarterbacks coach for the Washington Commanders in 2001. He'd remain in the league -- mostly -- from that point forward, serving as QB coach for the San Diego/LA Chargers as well before being named offensive coordinator of the New York Jets in 2006.
He stayed on with Gang Green through the 2011 season and then headed back to the Rams as the team's OC in 2012, with his most recent OC role being for the Seattle Seahawks in 2018 after a two-year stint as QB coach for the Indianapolis Colts. The Cowboys bring him in after only a one-year stay with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season, a forgettable stretch under Urban Meyer that saw first-overall pick Trevor Lawrence struggle in a wildly uneven passing attack.
Considering the Cowboys postseason ended prematurely in large part due to failings of their offense, one that struggled mightily during the second half of the season, Schottenheimer has his work cut out for him in trying to help Moore right the ship, while Quinn's defense provides a much easier assignment for him to lend a hand to, and that's probably for the best when considering he's never truly coached any type of defense before (he won't be coaching in Dallas in 2022, but this is still a relevant tidbit as it relates to what he does or does not bring to the table for Quinn).
That said, Moore can use all the help he can get next season.
It goes without saying that not every McCarthy hire has been aces -- e.g., Mike Nolan, Jim Tomsula, Ben McAdoo -- but heading into a pivotal third year in Dallas, he needs Schottenheimer to help make the team better ... and quickly.
