After a dip to 7-10 this last fall following three straight seasons of 12-5 finishes, Jerry Jones ultimately made the decision to not renew the contract of Mike McCarthy a few weeks back.
McCarthy had 174 wins in the NFL his name, to just 112 losses to go along with a Super Bowl title with the Packers in 2010.
Still, as the team owner, Jones felt like there were better options available, and made the decision to let McCarthy walk.
While that is significant, it's important to point out that decision was made after the window available to do virtual interviews top candidates like Lions coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn passed. Not surprisingly, both have landed elsewhere - Johnson with the Bears and Glenn with the Jets.
Tonight, in a decision that will be universally questioned for the foreseeable future, Jones announced the decision to simply elevate Cowboys offensive coordinator (in title only) Brian Schottenheimer to head coach.
The Cowboys interviewed former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore (once thought a lock for the job just a few years ago), former Jets head coach Robert Saleh, Seahawks assistant head coach Leslie Frazier and conversations were also reportedly had with Deion Sanders and Pete Carroll as well.
But, much to the chagrin of Cowboys fans everywhere, Jones felt the answer to lead the team forward was a longtime NFL assistant.
Schottenheimer, the son of legendary veteran NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer, brings plenty of coordinator experience to the table, but zero head coaching chops.
The 51-year old coaching veteran has been a coordinator for the Jets, Rams, and Seahawks (where he was fired by Pete Carroll after the 2020 season), and also spent a season as Mark Richt's offensive coordinator just before his tenure at Georgia ended.
In his 12 seasons as an offensive play caller, his units have finished within the top 10 in points per game four times, and three times ranked in the top half in NFL in yards per game.
After a season as the passing game coordinator for the Jaguars in 2021 he landed in Dallas as a coaching analyst. By 2023, Kellen Moore had left for the Chargers, McCarthy decided to take over the play calling duties, and elevated Brian to offensive coordinator, where he's spent the past two seasons.
The last time during the Jerry Jones era a head coach without prior experience was tabbed to lead the organization was Dave Campo, who went 15-33 in the early 2000's.
Maybe, against all odds, Schottenheimer will be the answer, but it seems safe to say that no one feels as optimistic about the hire as Jerry Jones does at this point.
That could all change with a handful of wins.