Cowboys hire Schottenheimer as head coach

The Dallas Cowboys hired Brian Schottenheimer as their next head coach, the team announced Friday.

The Cowboys signed Schottenheimer to a four-year deal, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

He beat out former Jets head coach Robert Saleh, Seattle Seahawks assistant head coach Leslie Frazier, and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore for the job. The Cowboys were also rumored to be considering Colorado head coach Deion Sanders.

This is Schottenheimer's first head coaching gig after spending most of his 25-year career as an offensive coordinator or quarterbacks coach. He joined Dallas in 2022 as a coaching analyst and served as the team's offensive coordinator for the past two seasons.

"Brian Schottenheimer is known as a career assistant," owner Jerry Jones told ESPN's Adam Schefter. "He ain't Brian no more. He is now known as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys."

Schottenheimer replaces Mike McCarthy, who parted ways with Dallas after the sides couldn't agree on a new deal. Schottenheimer is the Cowboys' ninth head coach since Jones bought the franchise in 1989.

Former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus is considered a "prime candidate" for the Cowboys' defensive coordinator vacancy, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports. Eberflus had also previously coached in Dallas as the team's linebackers coach and passing game coordinator from 2011-17.

Dallas ranked 16th in yards per game and 21st in points per game on offense this campaign, finishing 7-10. The club was without franchise quarterback Dak Prescott for half of the season after he injured his hamstring in Week 9.