The Cowboys are entering Year 4 of the Mike McCarthy Experience in Dallas, which means it’s essentially put-up or shut-up time for the former Super Bowl winning coach. Gone is Kellen Moore, the inherited offensive coordinator from the previous regime.
In comes Brian Schottenheimer, the well-traveled play-designer, handpicked by McCarthy. What the hiring lacks in creativity, it makes up for in fit and acquiescence.
Rather than tweaking the current model, McCarthy is expected to build an offense that better resembles his system in Green Bay. Wanting someone he knew and someone he felt confident would support and enhance his efforts, McCarthy hired Schottenheimer, who was most recently working in a supportive role of coaching consultant in 2022.
Working together last season, McCarthy and Schottenheimer likely laid the groundwork for a successful working relationship in 2023. McCarthy knows what to expect from Schottenheimer and Schottenheimer probably knows what will be demanded by McCarthy.
He hired familiar for a reason.
McCarthy will be calling plays for the Cowboys in 2023 and Schottenheimer will be helping with play-design and game-planning. But who really is Schottenheimer and what does he bring to his new role in Dallas?