New Cowboys coach shared the big screen with two of your favorite movie stars
If you're anything like me, the moment the Dallas Cowboys sign a coach, it's time to dig up some CVs. Where and when did he coach or play before getting to the Cowboys? Who was he with? You know, the usual. But on Friday, it wasn't positions coached or NFL experience I was intrigued by […]
If you're anything like me, the moment the Dallas Cowboys sign a coach, it's time to dig up some CVs. Where and when did he coach or play before getting to the Cowboys? Who was he with?
You know, the usual.
But on Friday, it wasn't positions coached or NFL experience I was intrigued by but something completely different: filmography.
The Cowboys announced hiring Pete Ohnegian at the same time as their full staff for 2023.
Ohnegian will take over as quality control and defensive assistant for the team but beyond his experience in scouting and training in the NFL world, he also appeared in two movies you have probably heard of and two stars you definitely have watched before:
He was the center for Washington in The Replacements where he appeared alongside Keanu Reeves. And he played the part of the Miami Sharks' center in Any Given Sunday, starring Al Pacino.
Ohnegian actually cussed out Reeves one time, per The Athletic's story on the actor's journey in sports films. In the article, Mark Ellis (sports coordinator for the movie) is quoted as:
"(Keanu) gets back in the huddle and says, “My fault, guys.” He calls the play and says, “Ready, break.” But they don’t break. (Ohnegian) looks at him and says: “Don’t f—— fumble it again.”
"It just felt comfortable treating him like one of the guys," Ohnegian told The Athletic.
It's difficult to imagine the new Cowboys coach's experience in the filmmaking industry to be a difference-maker for the team. But it sure as heck is going to be a good icebreaker with players.
Perhaps when the going gets tough he can break out Pacino's iconic halftime speech to get the Cowboys to fight their way back into the light and claw their way out of hell.
Featured image via Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
