Inside Brian Schottenheimer’s low-key role as a mentor to rising college coaching star

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer is preparing for what he hopes will be a strong postseason push with the Dallas Cowboys after the team missed the playoffs last season. Despite the disappointing overall results last season, Schottenheimer’s impact on the offensive side of the ball remained one of the brighter spots.

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian opened up about the network of NFL coaches he regularly turns to to sharpen his coaching approach, and Schottenheimer’s name was on the list.

“I love the Xs and Os aspect of it, and I’ve got a lot of great friends that I try to tap into and meet with,” Sarkisian said in a conversation on Josh Pate’s “Josh Pate’s College Football Show” this week. “In the month of May, that’s a lot of what I do, with guys in the NFL. It might be one play that I’m going to go and visit Sean McVay about, or a Kyle Shanahan, or a Brian Schottenheimer, but that part’s important.”

Schottenheimer has earned respect as a consistent offensive strategist in Dallas, helping keep the Cowboys’ attack among the league’s more productive units in scoring and passing efficiency. With quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver George Pickens expected to remain big pieces of the offense, the Cowboys’ passing game is still seen as a huge strength heading into the new season. 

Schottenheimer’s offseason focus is also expected to include addressing the Cowboys’ defense, which struggled in 2025 and ranked near the bottom of the league.

Meanwhile, Sarkisian’s interest in NFL concepts comes as he looks for ways to elevate Texas’ offensive output. The Longhorns averaged just 30.5 points per game last season and finished 41st nationally in scoring.

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