FRISCO, Texas — It was a long and eventful introductory press conference for new Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Kicking off just after 11 a.m. on Monday, the presser would go on for a little over an hour and was filled with personal anecdotes, tears and dozens of questions. 

What You Need To Know

  • Newly hired Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer was introduced to the media Monday morning. He was accompanied by Jerry and Stephen Jones

  • Schottenheimer is getting his first chance to be a head coach after over 25 years of being an assistant coach in both college and the NFL 

  • Jerry Jones got emotional when asked about the hire, saying, "I have a good background in the makeup of what a coach is"

  • Schottenheimer thanked his late father and former NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer, who died in 2021

Schottenheimer began by thanking the Jones family for the opportunity, and thanked players including Dak Prescott and DeMarvion Overshown for showing up to support him. Then, with tears welling in his eyes, he thanked his kids, his wife and his mom. Finally, he thanked his late father, Marty Schottenheimer, “My father was a legendary coach. A great man. But he was an incredible father, and he’s impacted me more than anyone in this profession. I know he’s looking down on me, I know he’s proud. But I know what he’d say to me, “Brian the easy part is over, but it’s time to get to work.””

Jerry Jones, his son Stephen Jones, and Schottenheimer would go on to answer questions for the next hour, discussing the hire and plans for the team going forward. Jerry Jones called the hire risky on multiple occasions, at one point saying “This is as big a risk as you could take.” 

Schottenheimer has never been a head coach in his career. Although he has over 25 years of experience as an assistant, this season will be the first time he will be tasked with calling all of the shots. When questioned about the hire, Jerry Jones went on a long tangent, touching on various experiences in the NFL before choking up and concluding with “I have a good background in the makeup of what a coach is.” 

Each and every question came back to expectations from fans, and how the Cowboys will meet them. Jerry Jones thanked the fans for their patience and support before saying, “This is the best way that we can go into the playoffs and win.” As he looked back at his new head coach. 

The rest of the conference was typical coach speak, with stories going back to Schottenheimer’s time with the Jets and the Seahawks, a quick story about clocks and a couple of brief cuts to a smiling Prescott. 

With all the questions, answered or not, the new regime in Dallas will inevitably get their shot to prove themselves over the next calendar year. Free agency will kick off on March 12, before the NFL draft begins on April 24 as Dallas tries to shore up the roster.