Cowboys Narrow Down Head Coach Search: Is Brian Schottenheimer the Leading Contender? Here’s What Led Us Here!

It’s been eleven days since the Dallas Cowboys decided to move on from head coach Mike McCarthy. The team hasn’t named a new coach yet, but they’re actively searching for a replacement.

So far, the Cowboys have interviewed four candidates: Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh, former Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier, and Cowboys’ own offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Additionally, team owner Jerry Jones has had informal chats with a few more potential candidates.

Interestingly, Jones reached out to Deion Sanders right after parting ways with McCarthy. However, it sounds more like a PR move than serious interest in hiring him, as they never scheduled an official interview. Just this week, Jones also spoke with Pete Carroll, but again, this was not a formal meeting.

The focus is shifting to Schottenheimer, and it appears he’s the frontrunner for the job. This seems more about shaping his potential coaching staff than considering other options.

So, who else is on the Cowboys’ radar? Aside from the interviews already conducted, both Saleh and Frazier have significant coaching experience. The Cowboys seem primed for change but are moving at a slower pace compared to other teams. For instance, the Patriots and Bears already secured their coaches, causing the Cowboys to miss out on some top candidates.

The Cowboys’ delay has impacted their ability to retain key assistant coaches, leading to departures, including special teams coordinator John Fassel, who is heading to the Titans.

If Schottenheimer is indeed the front-runner, his background makes a strong case. He has extensive experience as an offensive coordinator, having worked with the Seahawks, Rams, and Jets over 25 seasons. Under McCarthy, Schottenheimer helped create a new version of the West Coast offense, dubbed the “Texas Coast” offense. Last season, despite some ups and downs, the Cowboys’ offense ranked in the top tiers of the league.

If not Schottenheimer, Kellen Moore stands out as another excellent option. Moore has a deep history with the Cowboys, having been Prescott’s backup, his quarterback coach, and offensive coordinator. During his time, he helped lead the Cowboys to some of their best offensive seasons.

As for any surprise candidates, former player Jason Witten has sparked some interest, though he has never coached at a higher level than high school. However, don’t expect Deion Sanders to be a real contender due to his current contract situation at Colorado.

This coaching search is crucial, especially for quarterback Dak Prescott. With a hefty contract, the new coach must have a clear plan for maximizing his talent. Recent NFC teams have shown success by blending strong running games with effective offensive line play rather than relying solely on passing.

The Cowboys aim to break their long playoff drought. Their last Super Bowl appearance was in 1995, making this coaching hire even more critical. With every passing day, fans are eager to see how the team will move forward.