The Dallas Cowboys are on the verge of finalizing their choice for a new head coach, following the departure of Mike McCarthy on January 13. Owner Jerry Jones and his team have conducted several interviews, but the latest buzz suggests an unexpected front-runner: current offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.

Initial interviews included former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh and college football icon Deion Sanders, but Dallas missed opportunities with promising coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn after waiting too long to make a move. Johnson has now joined the Chicago Bears, while Glenn took a position with the New York Jets.

In a surprising twist, Kellen Moore, the former offensive coordinator who worked with the Cowboys, is also a candidate, but Dallas can’t speak to him until his Philadelphia Eagles finish their current playoff run. This brings a layer of uncertainty if the Eagles advance to the Super Bowl, complicating any interest in Moore.

Reports from veteran Cowboys beat writer Clarence Hill Jr. indicate that the organization is prepared to promote Schottenheimer to head coach.

"Look for the Cowboys to make Brian Schottenheimer their head coach by Friday," Hill noted on social media. Schottenheimer conducted his second interview with the team recently and has been at the helm of the top-scoring offense in his first year since joining Dallas, although the performance dipped significantly in 2024 due to injuries to key players, including quarterback Dak Prescott.

For Cowboys fans, this internal promotion might feel like a lack of fresh vision. The team has now experienced the longest NFC Championship Game drought in the league, with their last appearance dating back to the 1995 season—when Dak Prescott was only two years old! Many fans expected a more dynamic hiring to shake up a franchise in dire need of revitalization after a dismal season.

Historically, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones likes to maintain control over the team’s direction, and promoting Schottenheimer—who has not been a head coach at the NFL level—would allow him to consolidate power with minimal opposition. Speaking candidly, Jones once said, "I bought this team for me, not for my kids." His desire for absolute authority might explain his consideration of Schottenheimer.

Interestingly, the Cowboys were linked to legendary coach Bill Belichick before he took the helm at the University of North Carolina. Despite speculation about a potential interest, the opening with the Cowboys didn't align with his timing, showcasing a missed opportunity for a drastic shift in coaching philosophy.

Schottenheimer’s resume includes stints with the New York Jets, St. Louis Rams, and Seattle Seahawks, with a record of leading five top-10 scoring offenses during his 14 years as a coordinator. His lineage is also notable—his father, Marty Schottenheimer, was a respected NFL head coach for over two decades.

With a hefty $240 million investment in Prescott, the Cowboys are tasked with ensuring his success, making an offensive-minded coach like Schottenheimer an intriguing choice. However, questions arise regarding whether his promotion will foster the necessary cultural and tactical changes the team desperately needs.

Additionally, Rex Ryan, a well-known former head coach, has expressed interest in joining the Cowboys as a defensive coordinator, adding more intrigue to the coaching landscape.

As the Cowboys look to rebuild and pursue their first Super Bowl in decades, the decision regarding Schottenheimer's promotion serves as a critical juncture. Will this choice lead to a resurgence in Dallas' fortunes, or will it further entrench them in mediocrity? One thing is for certain: the upcoming weeks will be pivotal in shaping the future of this storied franchise as it battles fierce rivals like the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles, currently vying for a place in the NFC Championship.