The Dallas Cowboys never fail to entertain. After a season full of injuries, owner Jerry Jones decided to make some changes on the sideline. Head coach Mike McCarthy’s contract expired, and while both sides seemed interested in staying together, they ultimately decided to part ways. The franchise didn’t make a splashy hire. Instead, they promoted offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Many people panned the hire, questioning why Jones hired someone without head coaching experience. Cowboys legend Michael Irvin shared his thoughts in a recent interview, and it’s safe to say he wasn’t happy with the hire either.
Dallas Cowboys Michael Irvin On Brian Schottenheimer Hire
In an interview with TMZ Sports, Irvin slammed reports the Dallas Cowboys should move on from Dak Prescott. People forget his MVP-level season two years ago because of the injury-riddled season last year. The former Dallas wide receiver gave his support for Prescott and then transitioned into his feelings on the Schottenheimer hire.
“There are great odds against Brian Schottenheimer turning around the Cowboys in a great way. You start thinking maybe God is doing something our meager minds can’t really consume. … If he takes a great and then produces something great, you’ll say the man did it. But when he takes a Brian Schottenheimer, the least likely of them all, and then he gives him that position, and he does something great, you yourself will say it must’ve been God. Because we damn well know it wasn’t Brian Schottenheimer.”
This is not exactly a glowing report. Basically, Irvin is saying that if the Dallas Cowboys are successful next year, it won’t be because of their head coach. They have plenty of talent on the roster and will undoubtedly add more in the draft and free agency (maybe). However, Irvin and many other Cowboys fans believe the coaching staff will have very little effect on the quality of play on the field.
Why Are People So Upset?
It seems like Brian Schottenheimer is getting a raw deal. However, it is important to understand the reasons why so many are upset. This head coaching cycle had many quality candidates. The Dallas Cowboys weren’t in the mix for any of them. Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn, and Mike Vrabel all chose other teams, even though the situations may be worse. It feels like they settled for what they could get rather than upgrading. Fans are asking the question: What does Schottenheimer do that McCarthy doesn’t? That’s a tough question to answer.
The other reason fans are upset is because the reasoning behind the hiring is outdated. Brian Schottenheimer is the son of longtime coach Marty Schottenheimer. Jones was adamant in his press conference that this sets him up to succeed. However, over the course of the past decade, we’ve seen young, relatively inexperienced coaches have success. A family name and a long coordinator history don’t guarantee success.
Final Thoughts
The Dallas Cowboys have their work cut out for them. Philadelphia is coming off a Super Bowl season, and the Washington Commanders also look ready to contend. This team has very limited cap space thanks to the big contracts of Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and likely Micah Parsons. Can the Cowboys contend in the NFC East next year, or will they be a floundering middle-of-the-road team?
