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Former Cowboys WR Has Strong Message on Brian Schottenheimer's Impact

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Orlando Silva | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 1:08 PM ET

The Dallas Cowboys promoted Brian Schottenheimer from offensive coordinator to head coach after Mike McCarthy's fifth and final season with the team. After an injury-riddled campaign, the former Green Bay Packers coach finished the 2024 season with a 7-10 record (49-35 overall).

Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury, which ruined any playoff hopes they had. Brandin Cooks, Jake Ferguson and Zack Martin, on offense, also missed time. Micah Parsons also dealt with issues, while DeMarvion Overshown, Trevon Diggs and Sam Williams also suffered season-ending injuries.

Having all these players back should elevate the Cowboys' level of performance. They are under a new regime, added new pieces in free agency, the draft and via trade. Dallas has a boosted squad ahead of a competitive term that will have its divisional rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, as the team to beat.

As disputed as his signing was, Schottenheimer is bringing a spark to the Cowboys' locker room. Former wide receiver Isaiah Stanback, who played 10 games in two seasons with the Cowboys (2007 and 2008), shared his excitement about the culture the 51-year-old coach is instilling.

"They're healthy, but more than anything, that man that you see right there, 'Schotty,' he has stepped in and created a new culture and these guys are having fun," Stanback said during Friday's edition of "Good Morning Football". "When you look around the building, these guys are laughing, when you look around the building, these guys are playing around. When you look around the building, you have coaches jumping up and down, almost like you have a college culture.

"And it is a college culture, because 'Schotty' came from the Pete Carroll lineage and that is the environment that he's bringing. These guys are having fun again and that is why the Cowboys are going to be completely different than what they've been in the past."

"These guys are having fun again."@IamSTANBACK sees different vibes from this year's Cowboys team under new HC Brian Schottenheimer. pic.twitter.com/FZZOqKv3eu
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) June 13, 2025

Time will tell if Schottenheimer makes them play better than last year, but a lot of things suggest the Cowboys have renewed expectations. Even Parsons, who has yet to sign his new contract, was in the facilities to prepare for the 2025 season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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