Cowboys may look to promote from within for HC position

The list of candidates for the Cowboys’ head coaching position continues to grow. As Dallas ' search continues, an in-house staffer will be the next to be considered.

Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has an interview lined up with the Cowboys, as first reported by Ian Rapoport and Jane Slater of NFL Network. Three interviews have taken place so far for the position, all with external candidates. Schottenheimer will represent a potential option for an internal promotion, depending on how his meeting goes.

The son of longtime NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer, Brian has 14 years of coordinator experience. That includes the past two seasons where he has held the OC title in Dallas. Before that, Schottenheimer worked as a consultant for the team for the 2022 campaign. Then-head coach Mike McCarthy took over as play-caller when he moved on from Kellen Moore, so Schottenheimer’s responsibilities have not been the same in Dallas as they have in his other gigs.

Still, he is familiar with the Cowboys’ offense in general, and quarterback Dak Prescott, in particular, is a factor that could work in his favor. Forming (or having) a strong connection with the team’s franchise passer is a key element in Dallas’ ongoing search. Prescott was among the players who endorsed a new deal for McCarthy, but talks on that front never produced serious traction before it was announced that a new coach would be brought in.

As a result, the Cowboys are in the market for a McCarthy replacement. The team’s search is expected to expand soon, so it will be interesting to see how many other candidates receive a look over the coming days. Schottenheimer’s candidacy for a first head coaching gig will be a notable storyline as the 2025 HC landscape evolves.

Via PFR’s search tracker, here is an updated look at the Cowboys’ situation:

• Bill Belichick, head coach (North Carolina): Mutual interest would have existed
• Leslie Frazier, assistant head coach (Seahawks): Interviewed 1/20
• Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): Mentioned as candidate
• Kliff Kingsbury, offensive coordinator (Commanders): Mentioned as candidate; won’t interview until after season
• Anthony Lynn, run game coordinator/running backs coach (Commanders: ‘Mutual interest’ expressed
• Kellen Moore, offensive coordinator (Eagles): Interviewed 1/17; frontrunner?
• Robert Saleh, former head coach (Jets): Interviewed 1/18
• Deion Sanders, head coach (Colorado): Discussions commenced; no deal expected
• Brian Schottenheimer, offensive coordinator (Cowboys): To interview
• Jason Witten, head coach (Liberty Christian School): Strong contender?