The Dallas Cowboys have chosen Brian Schottenheimer as their new offensive coordinator.
Schottenheimer spent last season as an offensive consultant for the team and has coached in the NFL since 1997. He replaces Kellen Moore, who the Los Angeles Chargers hired after “mutually parting ways” with Dallas last week.
Schottenheimer previously worked as the offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and the New York Jets. He also worked as the quarterbacks coach for the San Diego Chargers and the Indianapolis Colts. Most recently, he was the passing game coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars before joining the Cowboys.
Historically, his offenses have ranked in the bottom third of the league and tend to feature strong running games but lackluster passing attacks.
His offenses in New York and Seattle had consistent top-10 rushing attacks, and the Seahawks even scored in the top 10 in each year of his tenure. His Seattle offense was also top-five in passing touchdowns twice but struggled from a yardage standpoint.
Yet, in his only season in Jacksonville, the Jaguars were 22nd in passing yards and threw the fourth-most interceptions.
Schottenheimer is the son of legendary NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer, who hired McCarthy to his first NFL job during his time in Kansas City. The younger Schottenheimer and McCarthy were both on the Chiefs’ staff in 1998.
During his time in the league, Brian Schottenheimer has worked with players like Russell Wilson, Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, Brett Favre, Thomas Jones, Steven Jackson, Andrew Luck, T.Y. Hilton, Tyler Lockett, and DK Metcalf.
“I am very happy to have Brian take on this key role with our team,” McCarthy remarked. “He has been an important part of our staff already and has a great grasp of where we are and where we want to go.”
“Brian has an exceptionally strong foundation, history and relationships beyond his time here that translate very well into understanding what our approach to operating and executing will be for the future,” he continued.
Since Moore left the team, the organization has said that McCarthy will be the one to call plays going forward — meaning Schottenheimer’s role will involve more fundamentals and game-to-game strategy.
Other known candidates for the job were Carolina Panthers running backs coach Jeff Nixon and Los Angeles Rams assistant Thomas Brown.