Certainly! Here's a rewritten version of the sentence: "In the end, the search reveals a sense of continuity."

 

Jan 24, 2025 at 09:33 PM

FRISCO, Texas – After days of speculation, the smoke has finally risen from the second-floor office window of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, signaling a critical decision: the naming of the 10th head coach in franchise history. The key theme underpinning this move? Continuity—a rare asset in today’s NFL, where teams frequently overhaul head coaches and general managers.

Brian Schottenheimer has been appointed head coach, a decision that seemed inevitable despite brief flirtations with the idea of veteran coach Pete Carroll taking the reins. Under this scenario, Schottenheimer would have remained the play-calling offensive coordinator. Instead, the Cowboys opted for stability, promoting Schottenheimer, who has been with the team for three seasons and served as Mike McCarthy’s right-hand man on offense for the past two.

In the front office, Will McClay continues his role as vice president of player personnel. Amid a wave of NFL front-office changes, the Cowboys have ensured McClay remains a cornerstone of their operations. His steady hand is vital as the team approaches free agency and the draft, maintaining cohesion in the scouting department. This continuity helps preserve an offense that quarterback Dak Prescott has mastered over the past two years since McCarthy transitioned away from Kellen Moore's system in 2023.

While the Cowboys' head coach count might appear notable—Schottenheimer is only the 10th in the franchise’s 66 seasons—their stability is evident compared to many NFL teams. The legendary Tom Landry helmed the team for its first 29 seasons. In the 36 years since Jerry Jones acquired the team, eight head coaches have followed, with most serving at least four years. This stands in stark contrast to teams like the Raiders, who have churned through 10 head coaches in just 15 years, or 18 since Jones became the Cowboys' owner in 1989.

Consider the Raiders’ recent hire of Pete Carroll as their latest head coach—his vast experience would have been intriguing for Dallas. However, pairing Carroll’s veteran leadership with Schottenheimer as the offensive coordinator might have disrupted the Cowboys' offensive consistency. For Las Vegas, Carroll represents their fifth head coach since relocating to Las Vegas in 2020, underscoring their instability.

The Cowboys have prioritized continuity not just on the coaching staff but in their front office as well. McClay’s role as a de facto general manager has been instrumental in the team’s draft successes and free agency strategies. Since joining the organization in 2002, McClay has climbed the ranks, proving his value by bridging the scouting department with coaching staffs under Jason Garrett and McCarthy. His collaborative approach ensures the Cowboys’ football operations run smoothly, even without an official GM title—a rarity in the NFL.

This approach contrasts with the upheaval seen across the league. In the past year alone, several teams have parted ways with general managers: the Raiders, Titans, Jaguars, and Jets have all made changes. Even a year earlier, Carolina and Washington replaced their GMs. The notion that hiring a standalone general manager guarantees playoff success is simplistic; in today’s NFL, GMs work within financial constraints and report to ownership, who ultimately control spending.

Jerry Jones’ leadership, while often criticized, involves collaboration. Decisions are informed by input from Stephen Jones, Will McClay, the coaching staff, and scouts. While Jerry retains final say, the process is far from a solo endeavor.

So here we are, 19 days after the Cowboys’ final game of the 2024 season, and 11 days since McCarthy and the team parted ways. The smoke has cleared, and Brian Schottenheimer now steps into the role of head coach. With a focus on continuity and collaboration, the Cowboys hope their latest chapter will lead to sustained success.