Here's why I'm perplexed about the new 'favorite' to be Dallas Cowboys head coach in 2025
Deion Sanders is the first name we heard about when the Dallas Cowboys' search for a head coach commenced last week. So how in the world did we get to the point where Brian Schottenheimer, the team's offensive coordinator for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, is the rising favorite to be the next head coach […]
Deion Sanders is the first name we heard about when the Dallas Cowboys' search for a head coach commenced last week. So how in the world did we get to the point where Brian Schottenheimer, the team's offensive coordinator for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, is the rising favorite to be the next head coach of America's Team?
Even as I'm writing this, I'm still reaching for the right words to express my opinion because, to be frank, I am perplexed by the news.
For those who missed it: Schottenheimer was brought up by Jimmy Johnson as a candidate for the job over the weekend, arguing continuity could make sense in Dallas. By Sunday evening, Schottenheimer was the odds-on favorite on DraftKings to be the next Cowboys head coach after being listed as a significant longshot earlier in the process.
Schottenheimer's rise as a favorite is as unexpected as it is underwhelming. Firstly, the Cowboys have interviewed Kellen Moore and Robert Saleh and are set to host Leslie Frazier on Monday. Outside of these names, candidates like Aaron Glenn, Kliff Kingsbury, and others have also been brought up by insiders as possibilities. However, no interview has even been heard on the Schottenheimer front.
An easy way to interpret the buzz around Schottenheimer is that he could be the Plan B for the Cowboys if they fail to land Kellen Moore, who remains unavailable for in-person interviews as the Philadelphia Eagles remain alive in the Super Bowl hunt. The Eagles are 5.5-point favorites over the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game. Moore's unavailability would be extended until mid-February with a win.
But why would Schottenheimer be Plan B in the first place? Sure, Dak Prescott and the Cowboys' roster would be familiar with the scheme, which provides continuity but the front office must ask itself, continuity at the expense of what?
The Cowboys should aim for a shake up, whether it's on an organizational level or on a scheme level. Schottenheimer provides neither. Though he has yet to be a play caller during his time in Dallas, he offers no upside that justifies not interviewing many more candidates before naming him head coach.
This year's pool of coaching candidates includes up-and-coming play callers such as Ben Johnson, Glenn, Kingsbury, Todd Monken, among many others. If the Cowboys wanted a veteran candidate, Pete Carroll is out there and interested in coaching. Nevermind that many of these are likely better candidates than Schottenheimer is, but not even interviewing them because Schottenheimer is the guy would be unjustifiable malpractice.
The notion that it could be Schottenheimer also feeds into rumors that the front office wants Jason Witten on the staff to groom him into a future head coach, which is enticing but also fails to make sense. Basically deciding on a future head coach years in advance despite no NFL coaching experience?
If the Cowboys promote Schottenheimer without casting a wider net of candidates, what message is Jerry Jones and Co. sending to the fans?
With all of the above being said, despite what sportsbooks are suggesting, it's too early to tell how serious the noise surrounding the new "favorite" is. But it certainly feels like a legit possibility given how things have played out in Dallas.
I for one hope the Cowboys go on another direction or that they at least do more research before reaching a decision. So far, their process doesn't meet the criteria of due diligence.
