The Dallas Cowboys have a new man at the helm, and he comes with a glowing endorsement from one of the NFL’s all-time greats. Legendary quarterback Drew Brees, who worked closely with Brian Schottenheimer early in his career, has offered a powerful vote of confidence in the Cowboys’ new head coach. For a franchise hungry to return to Super Bowl glory, Brees’ endorsement might be exactly the reassurance Cowboys fans need.
“I love him”: Brees praises Schottenheimer’s leadership
Speaking on the Scoop City Podcast with Dianna Russini and Chase Daniel, Brees reminisced about his time under Schottenheimer during their four seasons together with the San Diego Chargers from 2002 to 2005.
“I love him. He’s a great coach and a great communicator,” Brees said, emphasizing the impact Schottenheimer had on his development.
Their partnership culminated in the 2004 season, where the Chargers finished 12-4, winning the AFC West. Brees, under Schottenheimer’s tutelage as quarterbacks coach, threw for 27 touchdowns against just seven interceptions while completing 65.5% of his passes—a career-defining year that set the stage for his Hall of Fame trajectory.
Schottenheimer’s NFL journey: Decades in the making
At 51, Brian Schottenheimer steps into his first NFL head coaching role after decades of experience. His resume includes a long list of offensive coordinator stints with teams like the New York Jets, St. Louis Rams, and Seattle Seahawks, as well as time spent guiding quarterbacks across the league. Most recently, he served as the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator, making his promotion a logical next step.
For Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, Schottenheimer is the man to bring stability and direction to a franchise that has struggled to meet postseason expectations. Speaking about the hire, Jones expressed confidence in his new head coach:
“We believe Brian is the coach to lead this team back to playoff prominence. His experience, leadership, and connection with players make him the right fit for Dallas.”
A vote of confidence for Dak Prescott
One of Schottenheimer’s first challenges will be unlocking the full potential of quarterback Dak Prescott, a talented but polarizing figure in Dallas. Schottenheimer’s track record of developing quarterbacks, from Drew Brees to Russell Wilson, has already sparked optimism.
During his introductory press conference, Schottenheimer made it clear that he believes in Prescott’s ability to lead the Cowboys:
“Dak is a special player, and I’m excited to work with him. Together, we’re going to create something great for this team and our fans.”
Can Schottenheimer break the Cowboys’ playoff curse?
The Cowboys have not appeared in an NFC Championship Game since their Super Bowl-winning 1995 season. Despite having a talented roster and multiple playoff appearances, postseason success has remained elusive. With Schottenheimer at the helm, the hope is that his extensive experience and proven ability to elevate quarterbacks will finally push Dallas over the hump.
Drew Brees’ endorsement adds significant weight to this belief. The Hall of Famer’s comments underscore Schottenheimer’s ability to connect with players and maximize their potential—qualities that will be crucial as he takes on the pressure-cooker environment in Dallas.
A defining era begins
The Brian Schottenheimer era in Dallas has officially begun, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With a rich history and a passionate fanbase, the Cowboys demand excellence. Schottenheimer’s long road to this opportunity has equipped him with the tools to meet the moment.
For Cowboys fans, Drew Brees’ words should be a reassuring sign: if Schottenheimer could help mold a young Brees into one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, there’s reason to believe he can lead Dallas back to Super Bowl contention.