Last month, the Dallas Cowboys filled their head coach vacancy by promoting offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to the top job. The hiring raised some eyebrows from fans and former players alike, with some questioning Schottenheimer’s lack of experience and lack of flash going forward.
One of those former players chimed in on the conversation this week, with former Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant sharing his uncertainty about the hire with Yahoo Sports’ Caroline Fenton on Thursday.
“I’m an energy guy,” Bryant said. “I don’t know the coach, I can’t wish good or bad on him, but my energy is telling me that it won’t be successful.”
Bryant, a three-time Pro Bowler who grew up in eastern Texas, noted that Dallas’ strong fan base — coupled with the fact that the team has not won (or made) a Super Bowl since 1995 — adds a lot of pressure to the job.
“I just think it’s gonna be too much for him. I think it’s bigger than just him being the head coach. I don’t know if he can deal with the scrutiny of the fans,” Bryant said. “Us Cowboy fans, us Texans, we love our football, we ready to win. Cowboys ain’t won a Super Bowl since the ’90s. Like I said, I was a fan playing for the hometown team, so I get it. I don’t know if he’ll be able to deal with all that rah-rah from guys like us. So I don’t see success.
Bryant spent the first eight years of his career playing for the Cowboys, heading to the Pro Bowl in 2013, 2014 and 2016.
When asked what was missing from Schottenheimer’s approach to the job, Bryant mentioned several head coaches who he thought would be have been good for the franchise and its success. One of the coaches Bryant mentioned was Dan Quinn, who was the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator for three years before finding success this season as the Washington Commanders’ head coach.
Bryant also name checked Bill Belichick, who is now coaching at University of North Carolina, and Ben Johnson, who is now head coach of the Chicago Bears.
“You’re missing a Bill Belichick. You shouldn’t have ever let go of Dan Quinn. Ben Johnson was out there,” Bryant said. “It was guys that could take this team to the next level, and I feel like we let it slip through our fingers to have a shot at success.”
