Brian Schottenheimer reveals unexpected agreement before Cowboys promotion

Dec 25, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer looks on during warmups before the game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images Amber Searls-Imagn Images

Brian Schottenheimer reveals unexpected agreement before Cowboys promotion

Originally posted on DallasCowboysCommunity
By Archana Ramakrishnan | Last updated Jul 8, 2026 2:19 AM ET

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The Dallas Cowboys promoted Brian Schottenheimer from offensive coordinator to the franchise’s 10th head coach after two seasons with the team. But before the final decision was made, Schottenheimer revealed a behind-the-scenes agreement he had made with the Cowboys executives.

During his recent appearance on the Twins Take podcast on July 4, Schottenheimer revealed that he had agreed to stay with the Cowboys even if he did not land the head coach job.

“And so, you know, after just talking it over with Stephen and Jerry, like, OK, while we figure this out and you guys go through the interview process, which there’s a thorough interview process you have to go through,” Schottenheimer said. “We had made an agreement that I would stay here no matter what. And I didn’t want to leave.”

In the same Twins Take Podcast, Schottenheimer revealed that many teams were trying to poach him for the offensive coordinator job. But Schottenheimer was loyal to the Cowboys and wanted to stay with the team, even if it meant he was no going to be the head coach.

The Cowboys interviewed Leslie Frazier (assistant HC of the Seattle Seahawks), Robert Saleh (HC of the Tennessee Titans), and Kellen Moore (HC of the New Orleans Saints), according to Kevin Patra of NFL.com.

Patra believes that if Schottenheimer had remained as an OC in the Cowboys team, under HC Frazier or Saleh, it would have been a more powerful and “natural pairing.”

Finally, Schottenheimer was promoted to head coach in January of 2025. The Cowboys have always been firm on keeping a team-first culture, and are known for having “family-like relationships” with their coaching personnel and players.

So, Patra argued that the Cowboys’ approach of retaining Schottenheimer did not raise concerns, as they had insisted earlier on keeping a few of their coordinators with the team.

How a Consultant role led Schottenheimer to the Cowboys’ top job

Schottenheimer, in the same Twins Take Podcast, revealed that his consultant role with the Cowboys in 2022 had later landed him the top coaching position.

“And Mike McCarthy, who was the head coach here previously, he and I had a conversation,” Schottenheimer said on July 4. “And we started talking about what it would look like if you just stayed involved and you were a consultant. And I was like, that’s kind of cool.”

Schottenheimer said that he wanted to take a break from coaching after his stint as an OC with the Seahawks and his passing game coordinator job with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Former Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy approached him with a consultant role that was convenient for Schottenheimer to spend time with his family and be in touch with football as well.

Now, as Schottenheimer enters his second year as a Cowboys HC, the focus shifts to leading Dallas back to the playoffs and making a postseason run.

Do you think he can take the Cowboys to the Playoffs?

This article first appeared on DallasCowboysCommunity and was syndicated with permission.

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