Getty

Emmitt Smith Makes Feelings On Brian Schottenheimer Hire Clear

Originally posted on The Spun | By Hunter Hodies | Last updated Feb 13, 2025 10:36 PM ET

The Dallas Cowboys stayed internal with their head-coaching hire this offseason, promoting offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to replace Mike McCarthy.

The Cowboys felt Schottenheimer was the best coach for the job and offered him the position, which he accepted. However, the process that led to hiring the lifelong assistant earned criticism.

Some have liked the hire but former Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith isn't one of them. He shared his thoughts on ESPN's "Unsportsmanlike" radio show earlier this week.

"Next subject," Smith said. "I have no reaction. I just don't know what to say. I know we have to give the man a chance and I'm willing to him man a chance and the opportunity to turn things around. However, if we don't align our vision and commitment to that vision, I think we're going to get a lot of things that we have seen in the past. That doesn't feel good. We need a lot more than Ashton Jeanty. All of that talk about having a running back and running game, there's nothing wrong with our running game when there's a commitment to the running game."

The Cowboys will try and prove Smith a bit wrong since he's not super hyped about the hire. Dallas is coming off a 7-10 season, missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season.

They had made the playoffs in each of the last three seasons before this one but never got past the divisional round. The Cowboys still haven't gotten past the divisional round of the playoffs since the 1995 season.

In addition to hiring Schottenheimer as head coach, the Cowboys hired Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator and Klayton Adams as offensive coordinator. Eberflus will call the defensive plays while Schottenheimer will call the offensive plays.

The Cowboys have a few holes to fill before next season so don't be surprised if they are active in free agency.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: