Enraged Dallas Cowboys fans have taken to social media in droves to express their outrage over the franchise’s surprising decision to appoint Brian Schottenheimer as the team’s new head coach.
The announcement, made late Friday evening, revealed that owner Jerry Jones had selected Schottenheimer to succeed Mike McCarthy, whose five-year tenure with the Cowboys officially ended earlier this month.
Schottenheimer, 51, has a robust 25 years of NFL coaching experience, including 14 years as an offensive coordinator, but has never served as a head coach. His appointment marks the ninth coaching hire under Jones, who purchased the team in 1989 and infamously fired legendary coach Tom Landry, the Cowboys’ first and longest-serving head coach. Since their last Super Bowl victory in 1995, Jones has cycled through multiple coaches in a bid to restore the franchise’s former glory.
Fans have been vocal in their disapproval, calling the move “uninspiring” and accusing the 82-year-old Jones of making decisions that prioritize personal influence over team success. Critics claim that Schottenheimer, the son of renowned NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer, lacks the qualifications and vision to lead the team back to championship contention.
One frustrated fan commented, “The franchise waited until 10 p.m. to announce this because even they know it’s a joke.” Another vowed, “I won’t attend another Cowboys game at AT&T Stadium until Jerry Jones steps down. He and Stephen Jones need to go. I’ve had enough.”
The skepticism runs deep, with fans questioning Schottenheimer’s credentials. “He’s 51 and hasn’t been seriously considered for a head coaching role in years,” one fan lamented. Another remarked, “This is the worst head coach hire I’ve ever seen. He didn’t even call plays last season, and now he’s supposed to handle game planning on both sides of the ball?”
The backlash is particularly sharp because the Cowboys seemed to be building momentum in recent seasons, making three consecutive playoff appearances from 2021 to 2023. However, they only managed one postseason victory during that span, and McCarthy’s tenure ended amid questions about his ability to elevate the team in critical moments.
Schottenheimer initially joined the Cowboys in 2022 as a consultant before being promoted to offensive coordinator when McCarthy assumed play-calling responsibilities. While quarterback Dak Prescott delivered an MVP-caliber season under this arrangement, the team faltered late, culminating in a stunning wild-card loss to Green Bay. The following season proved even more disappointing, with the Cowboys finishing 7-10 and Prescott sidelined by a hamstring injury.
Critics also point to Schottenheimer’s mixed track record in previous roles. During his three-year stint as offensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks from 2018 to 2020, the team ranked among the top 10 in scoring but consistently underperformed in the playoffs. His earlier roles with the New York Jets and St. Louis Rams yielded similarly inconsistent results.
The decision to hire Schottenheimer came after the Cowboys reportedly interviewed a range of candidates, including Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and former head coaches Robert Saleh and Leslie Frazier. Informal talks with Colorado head coach and former Cowboys star Deion Sanders also surfaced, though no formal offer was made.
Fans’ discontent underscores a growing frustration with Jones’ leadership. Many feel his hands-on approach has hindered the team’s ability to attract top coaching talent and develop a cohesive long-term strategy. As one disillusioned fan declared, “After 40 years of supporting this team, I’m done. This decision shows they don’t care about winning, and now, neither do I.”
Despite the criticism, Schottenheimer’s appointment underscores Jones’ continued influence over the Cowboys’ direction. The team plans to introduce its new head coach during a press conference on Monday, though the road ahead looks fraught with challenges as the franchise faces mounting pressure to deliver results.
