If the first-year coach is going to get the Cowboys back into the playoffs, their roster will need significant improvements.

Dallas was neither ambitious nor thorough in its coaching search. Time will tell whether Brian Schottenheimer was a good hire, but there's a reason the Cowboys way hasn't been working for years.

A familiar face, Schottenheimer steps into the role after orchestrating the Cowboys' offense as the offensive coordinator for the past two seasons, despite not calling plays. He succeeds Mike McCarthy, whose tenure ended following the team's disappointing 7-10 finish in 2024.