The Dallas Cowboys hired Brian Schottenheimer as head coach in March, hoping he can be the one to finally end the franchise’s 30-year Super Bowl drought.

Schottenheimer, 51, has been able to bring a fresh energy and culture to the organization, as he’s emphasized the importance of communication and competition throughout the Cowboys’ offseason program.

He has won over Cowboys Nation with his approach so far. However, CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin isn’t completely sold … ranking the first-year coach No. 31 in his 2025 NFL head coach rankings.

“Yes, Schottenheimer’s name may be bigger than his resume, but this man first held a coordinator job way back in 2006; it’s not like he’s totally lacking in NFL chops. Are we sure there isn’t a remote possibility he makes like, say, Doug Pederson — another former NFC East hire who was overlooked by all except his own team’s powerful front office — and proves to be just the approachable leader Dallas needs,” Benjamin wrote.

The rankings have Chiefs boss Andy Reid at No. 1; no debate there.

And … Schottenheimer is indeed an unproven head coach, so a modest ranking seems fair.

At the same time, he has strong NFL bloodlines as the son of his late father, Marty Schottenheimer, who spent over 30 years coaching in the league—including 21 seasons as a head coach.

And Brian has a track record as a top assistant that spans decades.

In 2025, starting next week at training camp in Oxnard, Brian Schottenheimer will look to develop an offensive scheme built around a physical running game that complements a Dak Prescott-led play-action passing attack—creating opportunities for playmakers like CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Jake Ferguson to thrive in space.

As a rookie head coach, Brian Schottenheimer will have to prove more than his initial ranking suggests. But we would politely suggest that if he succeeds, let’s make sure the applause is as loud as the disrespect.