What Cowboys' Dak Prescott learned about Brian Schottenheimer during injury recovery

Quarterback Dak Prescott spent the second half of the Dallas Cowboys' 2024 season recovering from a serious hamstring injury and, thus, worked behind the scenes with new head coach Brian Schottenheimer when he served as the club's offensive coordinator. 

While speaking with reporters at a Tuesday event, Prescott mentioned how those experiences helped convince him that Schottenheimer can lead the Cowboys to their desired destination as soon as next season. 

"He was a guy that was a vital part in putting the gameplan together each and every week," Prescott said about Schottenheimer, Tommy Yarrish of Cowboys' website shared. "Obviously [former head coach Mike McCarthy] was the one making the calls at the end of the day, but [Schottenheimer] was a big part in the in-game process, which call was being made. I was on the headsets the latter part of the year so I heard all of that. Very professional guy who, as I said, is ready and deserves every bit of this opportunity."

Numerous analysts and fans criticized Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones for hiring somebody who had never been a head coach. Still, Prescott noted last month that he wanted "continuity" after having Schottenheimer as an OC for the past two seasons. Prescott also mentioned how he and Schottenheimer previously "had some tough conversations."

One of those conversations occurred after Prescott tossed an interception during a training camp practice. 

"It was a great moment of understanding," Prescott said about that interaction with Schottenheimer. "That was a conversation that was very unpleasant at the front end, but it had to be addressed at some point or another, and it was immediately after practice. It was two grown men coming to an understanding and appreciating each other for the competitiveness and the standard."

While playing under Schottenheimer and McCarthy, Prescott became a 2023 Most Valuable Player Award finalist. He's currently focused on getting ready for the start of the offseason program this spring, but he understands he and his teammates will face a difficult journey as a club that finished this season at 7-10 looks to do more than return to the playoffs. 

"I'm looking forward to the grind and some things that we're going to do and [Schottenheimer's] going to add," Prescott explained. "Excited for him. I know he's ready for it. He's been in the system a long time."