The Dallas Cowboys are officially embarking on a new chapter following the departure of head coach Mike McCarthy, whose contract concluded at the end of the 2024 season. On Friday, it was announced by ESPN's Adam Schefter that the Cowboys have hired Brian Schottenheimer to assume the role of head coach. The contract is reported to last four years, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

In anticipation of the upcoming season, an introductory press conference is scheduled for Monday, January 27th at 11am CT. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones publicly backed Schottenheimer, stating, 'Brian Schottenheimer is known as a career assistant... He is now known as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.' During the hiring process, the Cowboys also interviewed Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh, and former Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier, in addition to discussions with Colorado head coach Deion Sanders before settling on Schottenheimer.

Schottenheimer brings extensive experience to the position, having begun his career in the NFL as an assistant coach in 1997 at the age of 24. He initially joined the Cowboys as a coaching analyst in 2022 and progressed to the offensive coordinator role in 2023. Under his leadership, the team led the league in scoring at an impressive 29.9 points per game during his first season, but this average fell to 20.6 points per game in 2024 amidst a challenging year. Taking over a Cowboys team that finished with a 7-10 record in McCarthy's final season, Schottenheimer will aim to resurrect the franchise. The Cowboys are positioned to select 12th in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, with key injuries, including a hamstring injury that sidelined quarterback Dak Prescott for the season and an ankle sprain that limited star edge rusher Micah Parsons, contributing to last season's struggles. Despite their recent challenges, the Cowboys maintain a talented roster capable of competing at the highest level, highlighted by the dynamic connection between Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb. Under new leadership, there is a renewed sense of optimism for Dallas to improve after a series of disappointments, given that they have not advanced past the Divisional Round of the playoffs since 1995. Schottenheimer's promotion is viewed as a potential turning point for the franchise as it seeks a more promising future.