The odds for the Dallas Cowboys’ next head coach are now in favor of Brian Schottenheimer over Kellen Moore and Deion Sanders.

The Dallas Cowboys’ Next Head Coach: Brian Schottenheimer’s Rise to Favor Over Kellen Moore and Deion Sanders

The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most iconic and scrutinized teams in the NFL, and with good reason. The franchise has a storied history of success but has also experienced long stretches of underachievement in recent years. Despite consistently fielding talented rosters, the Cowboys have struggled to capture another Super Bowl championship since their last title in 1995. As a result, there has been constant turnover in the head coaching position, with new candidates frequently emerging as potential saviors for the organization.

The most recent narrative in the search for the Cowboys’ next head coach centers on three high-profile names: Brian Schottenheimer, Kellen Moore, and Deion Sanders. Each of these individuals brings a unique set of credentials and an intriguing backstory that could potentially lead them to the most high-pressure coaching job in football. For much of the past year, Moore—who has served as the team’s offensive coordinator—has been seen as the frontrunner. However, as rumors swirl and the odds shift, Brian Schottenheimer has emerged as the leading candidate for the job, surpassing Moore and Sanders in favorability.

In this article, we explore the factors contributing to Schottenheimer’s rise to prominence as the Cowboys’ next head coach, while also examining the cases for Kellen Moore and Deion Sanders. The shifting dynamics surrounding this coaching search reveal deeper truths about what the Cowboys need to achieve in order to return to Super Bowl glory and whether Schottenheimer’s background and skill set can provide the leadership to make that happen.

Brian Schottenheimer: The Rise of a Veteran Coach

Brian Schottenheimer, currently the Dallas Cowboys’ offensive coordinator, has been a relatively quiet but consistent presence in the NFL coaching community. Over the years, he has earned a reputation as an astute offensive mind with experience working under some of the game’s most respected head coaches. As the son of the legendary coach Marty Schottenheimer, Brian has inherited a deep understanding of what it takes to build a competitive team and the mental fortitude required to thrive in the pressure-packed NFL environment.

Schottenheimer’s coaching career began in the early 2000s, and he has served in a variety of roles with numerous teams, including the Washington Football Team, New York Jets, and Seattle Seahawks. His most recent role with the Cowboys has put him in the spotlight, as the team’s offense has consistently ranked among the league’s top units during his tenure. With quarterback Dak Prescott, running back Ezekiel Elliott, and wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup, Schottenheimer has had the opportunity to work with one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses. However, it’s not just the talent on the field that has impressed observers—Schottenheimer’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances, adjust in real-time, and develop a game plan to maximize his players’ potential has won him significant praise.

1. Success with NFL Offenses

Brian Schottenheimer’s experience as an offensive coordinator makes him well-versed in managing high-powered units. Having worked with quarterbacks like Mark Sanchez (with the New York Jets) and Russell Wilson (with the Seattle Seahawks), Schottenheimer has demonstrated the ability to mold his system around the talents of his signal-callers. With the Cowboys, his experience with Dak Prescott has been equally impressive. Prescott, a talented but sometimes inconsistent quarterback, has shown growth under Schottenheimer’s tutelage, as the Cowboys offense has flourished in recent seasons.

What stands out about Schottenheimer’s offensive philosophy is his ability to strike a balance between a dynamic passing game and a powerful running game. The Cowboys have benefited from a well-rounded offensive approach, which has helped keep opposing defenses on their toes. Schottenheimer has been able to keep the offense unpredictable while also making sure that Prescott, Elliott, and the receiving corps have the freedom to perform at their best.

Beyond simply putting up impressive yardage, Schottenheimer’s offenses have also been highly efficient in key moments. Whether it’s moving the ball in crucial third-down situations, responding to late-game adversity, or running the ball effectively when necessary, Schottenheimer’s ability to execute in critical moments stands out as one of his major strengths. This is precisely what the Cowboys have been missing in recent years—an offense that can perform under pressure in the postseason and convert talent into tangible victories.

2. Experience in Building Championship-Ready Teams

Schottenheimer’s coaching resume isn’t just limited to his work with the Cowboys’ offense. His time with the Seahawks helped to shape one of the league’s most balanced and consistently effective teams of the 2010s. He was part of the coaching staff that helped build the Seahawks’ Super Bowl-winning team in 2013, working alongside Pete Carroll to develop an offense that complemented their championship-caliber defense.

The Seahawks’ success under Schottenheimer’s guidance came from their ability to manage the game, dominate time of possession, and take pressure off their defense with a methodical offensive attack. These elements are crucial in today’s NFL, and they align with what the Cowboys need to return to the top of the NFC. Schottenheimer has shown the ability to take a talented roster, build around it with a clear identity, and lead that team to playoff success.

3. The Right Fit for the Cowboys

Given Schottenheimer’s familiarity with the Cowboys’ system, his rapport with players like Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, and his wealth of experience in running a dynamic offense, he is arguably the right fit for the job. The Cowboys have had struggles with head coaches who failed to capitalize on the team’s talent or lacked the leadership qualities to lead a championship-caliber squad. Schottenheimer’s calm demeanor, deep understanding of the game, and ability to execute on both sides of the ball could be just what the team needs to get back into championship contention.

Kellen Moore: The Once-Front-Runner

Kellen Moore, who has served as the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator since 2019, was long seen as the frontrunner to become the team’s next head coach. Moore has gained significant recognition for his innovative offensive approach, particularly his ability to create dynamic, high-scoring offenses.

Moore’s tenure with the Cowboys has seen the team put up impressive offensive numbers, and many have speculated that Moore’s future in Dallas would eventually lead to him becoming a head coach. Under Moore, the Cowboys have excelled in multiple offensive categories, and Dak Prescott has arguably had some of his best seasons.

However, despite his success as an offensive coordinator, Moore’s inexperience as a head coach—particularly in the NFL—is seen as a potential stumbling block. While Moore has worked with talented players and demonstrated growth in terms of his play-calling, he has not yet shown that he possesses the broader leadership and organizational skills needed to be a head coach. As the Cowboys continue to seek stability and long-term success, they may have opted for a candidate with a more well-rounded resume and experience in running an entire team.

Deion Sanders: The Wild Card

Deion Sanders, the Hall of Fame cornerback and current head coach of the University of Colorado, represents the wildcard in the Cowboys’ search for a new leader. Sanders has captivated the football world in recent years with his charismatic leadership, success in college football, and a magnetic personality that resonates both on and off the field.

There’s no denying that Sanders is an electrifying figure, and his success in transforming the Colorado Buffaloes program in such a short amount of time has garnered attention. However, the transition from college football to the NFL, especially as the head coach of a team like the Cowboys, is a monumental one. While Sanders has shown he can recruit and build an energetic, motivated team at the college level, his lack of experience coaching at the NFL level would be a significant hurdle for his candidacy.

While Sanders has all the qualities of a motivational leader, it’s unclear whether his ability to translate his talents to the NFL game would work in Dallas. The Cowboys need someone who can balance player development, game planning, and leadership under the intense pressure that comes with coaching America’s team. Sanders’ unorthodox coaching style, while potentially effective at the college level, could face challenges when dealing with the complexities of NFL egos, media scrutiny, and established veteran players.

Why Schottenheimer Is Gaining Momentum

The shift in favor of Brian Schottenheimer over Kellen Moore and Deion Sanders as the Cowboys’ next head coach can be attributed to several key factors:

1. Proven Leadership

While Moore and Sanders are exciting figures in their own right, Schottenheimer brings with him years of experience in managing NFL teams, working with elite quarterbacks, and coaching on both sides of the ball. His leadership style and experience make him a more viable candidate in the eyes of Jerry Jones and the Cowboys’ front office. The Cowboys need a leader who can not only guide their offense but also take a holistic approach to coaching a full team, including defense, special teams, and overall team culture.

2. Tactical Flexibility

Schottenheimer’s ability to adapt his offensive scheme to suit the players he has at his disposal gives him a tactical edge. The Cowboys’ roster is brimming with talent on both sides of the ball, and Schottenheimer’s offensive schemes would give the team the flexibility it needs to remain competitive against any opponent. His approach to balancing the pass and the run while capitalizing on the strengths of his key players is exactly what the Cowboys need.

3. A Stable Option

While Moore is still relatively young and unproven as a head coach, and Sanders is a high-risk, high-reward candidate with no NFL coaching experience, Schottenheimer offers a stable, measured approach to leadership. He has a reputation for developing quarterbacks and coordinating offenses, and his coaching pedigree suggests that he can handle the immense pressure that comes with being the head coach of the Cowboys.