The Dallas Cowboys made it official on Saturday by Notification Brian Schottenheimer as their new offensive coordinator for the 2023 season, replacing Kellen Moore.
Schottenheimer is the favorite internally to take on that role after spending the 2022 season as a Cowboys coaching analyst.
Based on Schottenheimer’s previous stops as offensive coordinator around the NFL, to say the least it’s a pretty boring recruiting job. Maybe he picked up a few things along the way, but historically the offenses he’s been in charge of have often struggled to hit the mark. And scores.
Schottenheimer has served as offensive coordinator for the New York Jets, Rams and Seattle Seahawks at various times since the 2006 season, amassing 12 years of experience in that role.
During that time his offense had an average ending 20th in the NFL in total yards achieved and only 15th in points scored.
Only one of those teams finished a season in the top 10 in terms of metrics, while only four finished in the top 10 in points scored.
Not exactly an encouraging track record.
Prior to joining the Cowboys, he worked as a passing game coordinator for the 2021 Jacksonville Jaguars, who had one of the league’s worst passes with rookie Trevor Lawrence. When the Jaguars brought in a new coaching staff in 2022, Lawrence’s career turned 180 as Jacksonville won the AFC South.
The Cowboys’ attack has been going well for the past two years and the upcoming 2022 season sees them sit 4th in points scored and 11th in total yards.
However, there are still some concerns. Rerun Tony Pollard is a free agent and could be left, while starting quarterback Dak Prescott has had some major revenue problems this year, which has really limited the Cowboys at times.
Even if there were some inconsistencies in the second half of the season, the Cowboys had a good thing by continuing to attack Moore. with a top six offense in three of his four years. The only year they finished outside of that time was the 2020 season when Prescott missed most of the season through injury.
In other words, they are replacing an assistant coach with a proven track record of success with an assistant coach with proven mediocrity.
