DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys have named Brian Schottenheimer as their next head coach.
According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys are giving Schottenheimer a four-year deal and it all comes after a week full of interviews, speculation and anticipation.
The move comes after Dallas parted ways with Mike McCarthy, who led the injury-plagued Cowboys to a 7-10 finish in 2024.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones chose Schottenheimer after interviewing Robert Saleh, Leslie Frazier, and Kellen Moore. Schottenheimer’s first interview with the team on Wednesday reportedly lasted several hours, followed by an equally lengthy second interview on Thursday.
Congrats, Coach Schottenheimer! ⭐️Tune in to the official introductory press conference Monday, January 27th at 11am CT.#DallasCowboys | 📰: https://t.co/VFHlroDWjzpic.twitter.com/2D7MM7nIMZ
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) January 25, 2025
The Dallas Cowboys are holding an introductory press conference for Schottenheimer on Monday, Jan. 27 at 11 a.m.
Presumably, the first thing on Schottenheimer’s to-do list will be to assemble a coaching staff. Former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus has emerged as a top candidate for the role of defensive coordinator, WFAA Cowboys insider Ed Werder reported Friday. As for the OC position, it’s not yet clear what direction the new head coach will go in. While under McCarthy, Schottenheimer was never the primary play-caller and it’s possible he will take over those duties himself regardless of who he hires.
Schottenheimer becomes the 10th head coach in Cowboys history and the ninth since Jones bought the team in 1989 and fired Tom Landry. Here is a breakdown of the Cowboys’ head coaches over the years:
- Tom Landry
- 1960 to 1988
- 270 wins, 178 losses, and 6 ties
- Jimmy Johnson
- 1989 to 1993
- 44 wins, 36 losses and 0 ties
- Barry Switzer
- 1994 to 1997
- 40 wins, 24 losses and 0 ties
- Chan Gailey
- 1998 to 1999
- 18 wins, 14 losses and 0 ties
- Dave Campo
- 2000 to 2002
- 15 wins, 33 losses and 0 ties
- Bill Parcells
- 2003 to 2006
- 34 wins, 30 losses and 0 ties
- Wade Phillips
- 2007 to 2010
- 34 wins, 22 losses and 0 ties
- Jason Garrett
- 2010 to 2019
- 85 wins, 67 losses and 0 ties
- Mike McCarthy
- 2020 to 2024
- 49 wins, 35 losses and 0 ties
Schottenheimer is tasked with ending a decades long Super Bowl drought, dating back to Barry Switzer’s last win in the 1995 season. The Cowboys have never even made it to the NFC Conference Championship since then. Dallas has come close a handful of times, with NFC Divisional Round losses in 2022 (49ers), 2018 (Rams), 2014 (Packers), 2009 (Vikings) and 1996 (Panthers).