Dez Bryant Reacts Sharply to Cowboys’ Decision to Hire Brian Schottenheimer
Former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, known for his bold and candid remarks, shared his thoughts on social media following the team’s announcement of Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach. Schottenheimer, who previously served as the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator, will now take the reins as head coach after three years with the organization. Bryant, who played for the Cowboys from 2010 to 2017, has consistently voiced his opinions on the team’s management and coaching decisions.
Schottenheimer’s tenure with the Cowboys has seen some offensive success. Over the past two seasons as offensive coordinator, he helped propel the team to a top-five ranking in offense and even led them to become the league’s highest-scoring team in 2023. Despite these achievements, Schottenheimer was not widely regarded as a strong head coaching candidate. It was not until he began interviewing with Dallas that his candidacy gained momentum, leaving many to question the decision.
The Cowboys’ coaching situation leading up to Schottenheimer’s promotion has been contentious. The team parted ways with former head coach Mike McCarthy just a week after the regular season concluded. Reports suggest the Cowboys struggled to negotiate a new contract or clarify McCarthy’s future before dismissing him, ultimately delaying their head coach search. This misstep may have cost Dallas the opportunity to pursue higher-profile coaching candidates.
Dez Bryant has not shied away from criticizing the Cowboys’ leadership and decision-making. In the midst of the coaching search, he openly expressed his hopes for Deion Sanders to take over as head coach, tweeting, “I hope Deion Sanders gets the Cowboys coaching job!” His statement resonated with fans who are eager for significant change within the organization.
Bryant has also drawn comparisons between the Cowboys and their NFC rivals, the Washington Commanders, particularly highlighting the success of Commanders’ defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Quinn, who previously worked with Dallas as defensive coordinator, has transformed the Commanders into a playoff contender, taking them all the way to the NFC Championship—a stage the Cowboys haven’t reached since 1996. Reflecting on Quinn’s success, Bryant posted on January 12, “Dan Quinn turned a once-struggling franchise into a playoff contender and won his first playoff game. Until Dallas focuses on winning instead of politics, Cowboys fans should not expect success soon.”
Bryant’s frustrations extend beyond coaching decisions. On January 18, he called for a cultural overhaul within the Cowboys organization, urging owner Jerry Jones to prioritize winning over branding. “Jerry has built a great brand, and now it’s time for the team to start winning,” Bryant stated. “It’s time for a real culture shift. I’m fed up with all the nepotism… get someone in there who can win games.”
As the Cowboys move forward under Brian Schottenheimer’s leadership, they will undoubtedly face scrutiny from fans and former players like Bryant, who expect not only consistent success but also a fresh approach to building a championship-caliber team.
