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Schotty Delivers Emotional Message To Dallas Cowboys

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 11:10 AM ET

All offseason, we have heard Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer discuss relationships and the connection he wants to establish with everyone in the building.

Some thought it was all a facade, but it has become apparent rather quickly that Schotty isn't messing around. He's talked the talk, and now he's walking the walk.

From Whataburger to champagne at Osa Odigihizuwa's contract dinner, to Greek dancing, everything has been done with the intention of bringing the entire franchise together.

And the vibes are off the charts.

But with OTAs and minicamp now done, Dallas has a break for roughly six weeks before training camp, so how does Schotty think the first portion of his first offseason as a head coach has gone?

“I don't know if you ever get it all accomplished, I feel really good about the offseason program,” Schottenheimer said. “The connection of the guys, offense, defense, special teams, coaches, players, new faces, new personalities, feel really good about that. I feel like we've just spent time doing things in the building, away from the building, getting to know each other.

"I think there's been multiple events, all the coaches in different sides of the ball have gotten together away from the building, I think every position group has done that, and that's so important, so I think that's been amazing.”

That, my friends, is the first layer of the cultural foundation that Schottenheimer is building.

The coach also got emotional talking about the blossoming relationships around The Star.

Said Schotty: "I called the guys up today and I told them, 'Hey, a couple things. No. 1: Take care of yourself, take care of your families. Hang with the ones you love,' and then I told them I love them. And I got a little emotional. These guys gave us everything that we've asked for this spring and I think they'll do that when we get started out in Oxnard.''

Yes, there's been football, too, but this early portion of the offseason has largely been about Brian getting to know every player on a personal level, to develop relationships that he hopes will bring everyone together in such a way that it gives the Cowboys one of the best cultures in professional sports.

It's early in Schottenheimer's tenure as head coach, but there's no denying he's off to a good start. Yes, the biggest test will be when the hard times come, but that is where he and the players will lean on the relationships they've built now.

Schotty feels good about the offseason program, and based on everything we've seen and heard, we do too.

Onto training camp we go.

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

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