Cowboys Coach Poised to Reveal A Secret Weapon in Run Game

Before we dive into why Steve Shimko might be one of the most slept-on assets in the Cowboys’ run game overhaul, let’s hit a quick refresher for Cowboys Nation.

Steve Shimko is one of two Dallas Cowboys coaches on Brian Schottenheimer's staff that were hold-overs from the McCarthy regime. That in and of itself should raise an eyebrow. 

Shimko, a former Rutgers quarterback turned coach, worked his way through the college ranks with stops at Georgia, Western Michigan, and Garden City Community College — where he led the team to a national championship as offensive coordinator. 

He then climbed into the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks, working directly under Brian Schottenheimer for the second time. The first was as a graduate assistant at Georgia in 2015, and the second was as an offensive analyst and assistant quarterbacks coach for the Seattle Seahawks. 

That relationship proved critical.

In 2024, Shimko rejoined Schottenheimer for the third time in Dallas — but not in an official coaching capacity. He came in as an “analyst,” a quieter role behind the scenes while Mike McCarthy and his staff were coaching on an expiring deal. And as Law Nation astutely noted in a recent project, Shimko understood the dynamics and "didn't contribute to the running game" until late in the 2024 season. 

Interesting nugget from Law Nation considering that specific time frame lined up with by far the most competent looking Cowboys run-game in almost 3 years. 

Shimko was specifically brought in to "analyze" and help bolster the running game, but he read the room with respect to the circumstances and chain of command. When you’re not officially listed as a coach, you don’t just walk in and start reengineering systems.

But now? Shimko’s no longer in the shadows. Officially promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2025, and flanked by new hires Klayton Adams and Conor Riley, the pieces are finally in place.

And Shimko’s role in helping reshape the Cowboys’ run game might be bigger than anyone’s talking about.

And here's the part that should turn heads in Dallas:

When Steve Shimko was promoted to Offensive Coordinator at Boston College following the 2022 season, he didn’t just improve their offense — he completely transformed their run game.

In one season, Boston College’s rushing attack jumped from an abysmal 2.2 yards per carry to a staggering 4.9 yards per carry in 2023. That’s more than doubling their rushing efficiency — a shift that ranks among the most dramatic year-to-year improvements in recent college football history.