Brian Schottenheimer admits his dad wouldn't like how the Cowboys practice, but NFL legend is a part of everything he does
When Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer stands in the middle of practice, he knows his father—NFL legend Marty Schottenheimer—wouldn't approve. For the few months he's been at the helm of the program, a lot has been made about Schottenheimer's approach to everything. Players and media members talk about a shift in culture and energy. This […]
When Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer stands in the middle of practice, he knows his father—NFL legend Marty Schottenheimer—wouldn't approve.
For the few months he's been at the helm of the program, a lot has been made about Schottenheimer's approach to everything. Players and media members talk about a shift in culture and energy. This week, he was asked about why it was so important to him to bring that kind of enthusiasm to the practice field.
"It's funny that you ask me this question (. . .) The way we practice, and the way that I act at practice, my father is looking down from heaven going ‘What are you doing? That’s not how you practice," Schottenheimer told reporters. "But my father also coached a long time ago and the type of athletes and type of young men that we’re dealing with has changed."
It's been clear since Day 1 Brian is strongly influenced by his father, who passed away in 2021. Since his introductory press conference, he often mentions him and recently, he even admitted he sometimes wishes his dad was around to reach out to him and ask him about coaching.
For anyone who has lost a father, relating shouldn't be hard. I miss my dad every day and often face situations that I don't know how to handle and think he absolutely would. He was my dad, a superhero, of course he would.
And yet, that's what makes Schottenheimer's approach even more special. He believes in it so much that he doesn't care his dad, who ranks eighth in all-time wins in NFL history, would disapprove.
"I believe that it's the coach's responsibility, first and foremost, to create a great practice environment," Schottenheimer elaborated. "What do I mean by that? If we don't have energy, and we're not into it, and we're not running around, and we're not talking, then the players aren't going to be able to do that—because they're going to follow our lead."
Schottenheimer mentioned he learned that with the Seattle Seahawks when working for Pete Carroll.
Marty might've disagreed with Brian's approach. But he'd be darn proud of his son doing it his way. And you know Marty is a part of everything Brian does whether or not he's wearing a headset.
