The Dallas Cowboys introduced Brian Schottenheimer as their 10th head coach in franchise history in a Jan. 27 press conference following three years as an assistant coach.
The 51-year-old already has a close relationship with his players after a year with Dallas as an offensive analyst and two as offensive coordinator. Still, the first-time head coach was excited to receive a vote of support, of sorts, because of who was in attendance to welcome him.
Franchise quarterback Dak Prescott joined the crowd of reporters, along with other Cowboys players including edge rusher DeMarvion Overshown, wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, center Brock Hoffman, and guard Tyler Smith.
Schottenheimer, son of the late former NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer, was clearly touched by the gesture.
“To our players, you are the core of this program,” Schottenheimer said. “And we will focus on you every day. To [all of the players], it means the world to me that you are here. I can’t wait to do this alongside you.”
Dak Prescott (4) and Brian Schottenheimer
Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Prescott has plenty of reason to be thrilled about Schottenheimer’s offense. After all, he led the NFL with 36 touchdowns and 410 completions in 2023 and set career bests in completion percentage (69.5) and passer rating (72.7) in an Pro Bowl season. Tolbert, too, has taken off, with 610 yards and seven touchdowns as he elevated into a starting role for the first time.
Dallas led the NFL with 29.9 points per game in 2023, although that took a dive to 20.6 in 2024 when Prescott missed most of the season with a hamstring injury.
