Brian Schottenheimer emerges as favorite for Dallas Cowboys’ next head coach position over Kellen Moore and Deion Sanders

• Brian Schottenheimer is the new favorite to be the Dallas Cowboys next head coach
• Schottenheimer has been the Cowboys offensive coordinator for the past two years
• Keep reading for latest odds to be the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys

As the Dallas Cowboys head coaching search approaches its second week, a new favorite has emerged. Much to the chagrin of anyone who loves football, it’s about the least sexy name you can imagine. Forget Deion Sanders, Ben Johnson, or Kliff Kingsbury; Brian Schottenheimer is now the man it appears Jerry Jones covets.

Dallas Cowboys Next Head Coach Odds

Schottenheimer was nowhere to be found when odds for this market were released last week, however he’s now vaulted straight to the top. He’s a -250 favorite to take over for Mike McCarthy, after spending the previous two seasons as the Cowboys offensive coordinator. Former Dallas OC and current Eagles OC Kellen Moore comes in next, followed by Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.

Odds as of Jan. 19 at DraftKings. Read SBD’s DraftKings review to see the latest promo codes and bonus offerings from DK. 

Schottenheimer’s Credentials

Schottenheimer is the son of legendary head coach Marty Schottenheimer. He joined Dallas three seasons ago as an offensive assistant, and was elevated to OC in 2023. In his first year on the job, the Cowboys were second in total offense, but fell off a cliff in that category in 2024 after Dak Prescott was injured.

Before we give him too much credit for the 2023 season, it’s important to point out the following. McCarthy was actually the one who oversaw the offense and called the plays. Schottenheimer is capable of calling plays, and has a ton of experience as an OC, but has never held a head coaching position in college or the pros.

I am starting to hear a ton of buzz about Brian Schottenheimer inside the Star.

There is NO WAY I believe Jerry would ignite the fanbase with that hire, I’m just telling you what’s getting louder. #Cowboys

— Shan Shariff (@1053SS) January 18, 2025

In terms of making a splash, hiring Schottenheimer would not move the needle. He brings zero excitement to the table, and doesn’t have a glowing resume. Schottenheimer’s certainly had some success in the pros as a coordinator, but he’s also flamed out everywhere he’s been. The biggest stain on his coaching career was the end of his time in Seattle, when he was fired for a lack of creativity and failure to adjust.

If you’re looking for a reason to buy the Schottenheimer hype as the Cowboys next coach, there’s one that sticks out. Schottenheimer is just as vanilla as McCarthy and Jason Garrett before him. Jones is about as hands-on as any owner in football, and over the last two decades he’s only hired coaches that are willing to take a backseat to him.

Coach Prime Unlikely to Leave Boulder

Which is why it’s unlikely he’ll hire Coach Prime, despite the mutual interest. Deion is incredible theatre and would be the catalyst for the Cowboys leading every talking heads show each Monday morning. The problem is, it wouldn’t take long for his ego and Jones’ to clash.

It’s impossible to imagine him sitting back while Jones criticized him or the team. The last time Jones hired a splashy name, it was Bill Parcells, and that relationship was incredibly tumultuous. Prior to that it was Jimmie Johnson, and although that led to multiple Super Bowls, Jones and Johnson clashed regularly.

Brady is a Better Fit than Schottenheimer

Which brings us to Joe Brady. The 35-year-old Bills OC has been travelling all over the country this week interviewing for head coaching positions. He’s not quite as hot a name as Ben Johnson or Sanders, but his resume must be appealing to the Cowboys.

Brady has helped revamp Buffalo’s offense over the last two seasons, maximizing the talent of Josh Allen and those around him. In a pass dominant league, he zagged to a run heavy approach, using multiple backs as well as Allen more frequently as a rusher.

the Bills converted 71% of their redzone drives into touchdowns

the 2nd best mark in the NFL

Here’s three similar looks from Joe Brady – with three different results – that all end in TDs pic.twitter.com/oN3xE2DPxi

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) January 10, 2025

Unlike Johnson, who’s considered an offensive genius, or Sanders, whose ego has trouble fitting through the door, Brady is unassuming and carries no baggage. Jones wouldn’t have to take a backseat to him, and his resume and creativity is flat out more impressive than Schottenheimer’s.

After the Dallas Cowboys fired head coach Mike McCarthy following a disappointing season, the search for his replacement has been in full swing. One name that has emerged as a favorite for the position is Brian Schottenheimer, the former offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks.

Schottenheimer has a strong track record in the NFL, having worked with some of the league’s top quarterbacks, including Russell Wilson in Seattle. His offensive schemes have been praised for their creativity and effectiveness, and he has a reputation for developing young talent.

In addition to his coaching abilities, Schottenheimer also has a strong pedigree in the NFL. His father, Marty Schottenheimer, was a successful head coach in the league for many years, and Brian has clearly learned a lot from him.

While Schottenheimer is seen as the frontrunner for the Cowboys’ head coaching position, he is facing stiff competition from within the organization. Kellen Moore, the team’s current offensive coordinator, has also been mentioned as a potential candidate for the job. Moore has been praised for his innovative play-calling and his ability to get the most out of the Cowboys’ offense.

Another intriguing name in the mix is Deion Sanders, the Hall of Fame cornerback who is currently the head coach at Jackson State University. Sanders has expressed interest in coaching at the NFL level, and his charisma and football knowledge make him an attractive candidate for the Cowboys.

Ultimately, it will be up to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to make the final decision on who will be the team’s next head coach. While Schottenheimer may have the inside track at this point, Moore and Sanders both bring unique strengths to the table that could make them strong contenders for the job. It will be interesting to see how the coaching search plays out in the coming weeks.