Brian Schottenheimer hasn’t even coached his first game as the Dallas Cowboys head coach, but pressure is already mounting. In Dallas, that’s nothing new. The moment a new coach enters the role, then the spotlight hits him and doesn’t let up.
Brian Schottenheimer Under Fire as Cowboys Face Make-or-Break 2025 Season
The Cowboys are beginning the 2025 season with an intense effort to regain relevance after a poor 7-10 season and another year of seeing their NFC East Division rivals thrive. Supporters are agitated. They’re nervous in the front office. Moreover, what about team owner and general manager Jerry Jones? He’s not exactly known for his patience.
When “Pro Football Talk” NFL analyst Mike Florio recently discussed coaches already under fire, Schottenheimer‘s name quickly came up, bringing some of that pressure into full view.
“Jerry Jones doesn’t like to pay coaches to not work for him,” Florio said. “If this season doesn’t go well, he could avoid having to pay Schottenheimer next year. If the Cowboys end up in last place in the division, I think Schottenheimer could be out after only one year.”
That is a complex reality for a head coach in his first season. The Cowboys, however, have incredibly high standards. The way this coaching situation happened is what Dallas fans find most upsetting.
Many anticipated that the Cowboys would seek out a seasoned veteran coach to help stabilize the team after dismissing Mike McCarthy. As an alternative, Jones surprised the NFL by elevating Schottenheimer from offensive coordinator, a decision criticized by fans and the media.
Cowboys Gamble on Schottenheimer as Questions Swirl Around Dak Prescott
Trust was more important than experience alone to Jones. Could one of the most closely watched sports teams be led by a man without prior experience as a head coach? Was loyalty or football at the center of this decision?
The fact that franchise quarterback Dak Prescott is still pending clearance to initiate contact further adds questions before the season begins. Although there is a talented roster, Dallas has never had that issue. Delivering when it matters most has been the challenge.
Now, Schottenheimer is the center of attention. Whether that’s fair or not, he has been given a team that hasn’t performed up to par for years and is supposed to make it right away. That’s the Cowboys’ standard.
In actuality, coaching in Dallas is more than just a job. Resilience, media awareness, and unrelenting pressure are all tested. Schottenheimer has a great chance but also has a very small margin for mistakes. Furthermore, success is not encouraged in Jones’ environment. It’s a requirement.