'We're Not Broke!': Schottenheimer Analyzes Cowboys Offense

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Elevate Brian Schottenheimer instead.

That appears to be the Dallas Cowboys' plan after they parted ways with Kellen Moore and (sort of) turned over the controls of a high-octane offense to Schottenheimer, who has maintained a constant prescience on sidelines across the nation since 1997. The move to offensive coordinator, a job he also held in prior NFL stops in New York, St. Louis, and Seattle, comes after he spent last season as a coaching analyst on the Cowboys' staff.

As the Cowboys convened for rookie minicamp this past weekend, Schottenheimer heaped praise upon his new unit, which has taken a considerable amount of verbal fire for the team's recent shortcomings on the NFC playoff bracket.

"Look, the system's not broke," Schottenheimer said, also declaring that he had "a ton of respect" for the Chargers-bound Moore. "They've won a lot of games here. (Head coach) Mike (McCarthy) has been around for that. … They've scored a ton of points."

To Schottenheimer's point, Dallas is tied for the fifth-most wins (30) in the NFL since McCarthy took over the top headset in 2020. In that same span, they're third in points at 1,392, topping all NFC teams. Schottenheimer also listed McCarthy as one of the most important sources of coaching wisdom, recalling their previous collaboration in Kansas City under the former's father Marty. 

McCarthy and the Cowboys now call upon the younger Schottenheimer to help them take the next step in their championship journey. He has been to the conference title game round more recently than America's Team, having guided the New York Jets to consecutive such showings in 2009-10.

In fact, of course, this will be McCarthy's ship to steer; the head coach will be the playcaller, with Schottenheimer - the son of the late Marty Schottenheimer, a McCarthy mentor - at his side.

A good number of critics have suggested that the team move on from franchise quarterback Dak Prescott but Schottenheimer is more interested in helping the eighth-year QB recognize his veteran potential. Schottenheimer is glad to see that Prescott has been open to his offensive strategic changes. 

"I love the man, I love the work ethic," Schottenheimer declared. "He's a tireless preparer. The way guys follow him, the way he wants to be coached, the way he wants to be open-minded to trying different things from a fundamental standpoint, things like that, that shows you the sign of a true winner, a champion, and it's been awesome. 

"I'm looking forward to working with him and really all the guys. All the guys have been great." 

In addition to Schottenheimer, Dallas also welcomes former Houston Texans receiver Brandin Cooks to the fold through a trade and they also drafted tight end Luke Schoonmaker in the second round of last month's draft. All of that adds up to a Dallas offense that "ain't broke'' - but one that can get even better.

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