Cowboys' Brian Schottenheimer Reveals The Why In Practice 'Vibe'

One takeaway from the early part of Dallas Cowboys OTAs is the energy and vibe that is at The Star.

Led by head coach Brian Schottenheimer, practice appears to be fun, players are relaxed and are laying it all on the line...in June.

On the outside, that might not seem like a big deal, but for Schotty, who is a first-time head coach, to already have the entire roster bought into what he wants to do is a feather in his cap.

Even on Legends Day on Friday, Michael Irvin and Tony Casillas, who were among a host of former players invited to attend meetings and practice, both described how good the energy and vibe were on and off the field.

And Schottenheimer has revealed why he has placed such a big importance on it.

"I believe that it's the coach's responsibility to create a great practice environment,” Schottenheimer said. “If we don't have energy, we're not into it, running around and not talking [expletive], then the players aren't going to be able to do that because they're going to follow our lead. When we show them that we're going to let our personality shine, then they're going to do that. 

"I really fell for that in Seattle. I watched some incredible athletes that late in the season went out to practice, and maybe they didn't really feel like practicing, but when the coaches bring the juice, energy, and vibe, then they're going to follow suit."

"Schotty,'' 51, also noted that his late father, the legendary Marty Schottenheimer, didn't quite conduct his workouts the same way as the energetic first-year head coach Brian does.

“The way we practice and the way I act at practice, my father is looking down from heaven going, ‘What are you doing? That’s not how you practice,” Schottenheimer said. “But my father also coached a long time ago.''

Yes, we get it. It's early June. But the foundation that is being built is what the team can fall back on when the going gets tough in 2025.

Because, make no mistake, there will be rough patches, and it is in those moments that Schotty's energy and vibe efforts will be tested.

But based on what we've seen and heard, this isn't a facade. It's real. It's tangible.

And it might be the key ingredient in Dallas having a successful year in Schottenheimer's debut season as a head coach.