Brian Schottenheimer Emerges as Surprise Favorite for Cowboys’ Head Coach Position
The Dallas Cowboys’ search for their next head coach has taken an unexpected turn, with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer suddenly emerging as the betting favorite to replace Mike McCarthy.
Schottenheimer has spent the last three seasons with Dallas, including two as offensive coordinator. Under his guidance, the Cowboys led the NFL in scoring offense in 2023 and ranked fifth in offensive yards. While the offense took a step back in 2024 after Dak Prescott’s injury, it still finished a respectable 11th in passing yards and 13th in passing touchdowns.
The #Cowboys are expected to interview their own OC Brian Schottenheimer for their vacant head coaching job, per me and @SlaterNFL.
Well-respected in the building, Schottenheimer has been an OC for more than a decade. Intriguing option to take the next step. pic.twitter.com/1Kz3txHFZL
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 21, 2025
Jerry Jones’ preference for familiarity bolsters Schottenheimer’s candidacy. The son of legendary coach Marty Schottenheimer, Brian has been a fixture in NFL coaching since 1997, including offensive coordinator stints with the Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, and New York Jets. Despite his wealth of experience, Schottenheimer has never been a head coach and has drawn criticism for conservative play-calling. In Dallas, play-calling duties remained with McCarthy, even as Schottenheimer held the offensive coordinator title.
Despite Schottenheimer’s surge in betting odds, his status as the favorite doesn’t guarantee he’ll land the job. Oddsmakers often adjust lines based on betting activity rather than inside information. Notably, there’s been no public record of Schottenheimer formally interviewing for the position.
Jones’ unpredictability leaves the coaching search wide open, with no clear frontrunner. As speculation swirls, one thing remains certain: the next Cowboys head coach will face immense expectations from fans and ownership alike.
Cowboys Next Head Coach Odds
Odds via BetOnline.
- Brian Schottenheimer: -180
- Kellen Moore: +250
- Robert Saleh: +470
- Kliff Kingsbury: +500
- Deion Sanders: +650
According to BetOnline, Brian Schottenheimer now holds an implied 64.29% probability of landing the role—a surprising development for a name absent from the initial odds.
Ironically, Brian Schottenheimer’s predecessor, Kellen Moore, is the second favorite for the job. Moore, who served as Dallas’ offensive coordinator from 2019-2022, currently holds the same position with the NFC Championship-bound Philadelphia Eagles. Deion Sanders, the initial favorite when the market opened, has since faded from contention.
A Sensible but Uninspiring Option for Cowboys’ Head Coach
There’s logic behind Brian Schottenheimer’s candidacy for the Cowboys’ head coaching job. For one, quarterback Dak Prescott values continuity. Promoting Schottenheimer would mean Prescott avoids learning a new offense, maintaining stability for a team that has leaned heavily on its offensive identity. If Mike McCarthy’s departure stems from a contract impasse with owner/general manager Jerry Jones, Schottenheimer represents a seamless internal transition to preserve the team’s system and rhythm.
2-YEARS AGO TODAY: DAK PRESCOTT ENDED TOM BRADY’s ICONIC CAREER IN HIS OWN HOME.
Dak had a historic game:
• 25 of 33
• 305 passing yards
• 4 touchdowns
• 143.3 passer rating
• 96.8 QBR31 to 14 victory advance to the next round
DAK.
pic.twitter.com/ds3Pbs7Gnu— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) January 17, 2025
However, the case against Schottenheimer is equally compelling. At 51, he has never served as a head coach at any level and has rarely been seriously considered for such a role. His tenure as an offensive coordinator has been marked by mixed results, with underwhelming performances in multiple NFL stops.
This wouldn’t be the bold, headline-grabbing hire Cowboys fans might hope for. Instead, it would signal Jones’ preference for a coach who values the opportunity enough to accept his well-documented hands-on management style. Schottenheimer, grateful for the chance, would likely acquiesce to Jones’ penchant for radio interviews, postgame press conferences, and treating the organization as his personal stage.
While the move makes sense in preserving familiarity, it lacks the ambition or innovation that typically defines championship-caliber leadership—a concern for a franchise with sky-high expectations.
