Cowboys News: Brian Schottenheimer Named OC After Kellen Moore's Exit for Chargers

The Dallas Cowboys have hired Brian Schottenheimer as their new offensive coordinator, via Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.

Head coach Mike McCarthy is still expected to call plays, which was the plan when the team parted ways with previous offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, per David Moore of the Dallas Morning News.

Moore was hired to the same role with the Los Angeles Chargers the next day.

Schottenheimer spent last season as a consultant with the Cowboys, helping on both sides of the ball.

The 49-year-old has 12 years of experience as an NFL offensive coordinator with the New York Jets, then-St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks, although his teams have finished in the top 10 of total yards just once in this time.

His best stretch came in Seattle from 2018-20, with the team finishing sixth, ninth and eighth in scoring, respectively. However, there was significant criticism during this stretch for relying on the rushing attack and leaving few opportunities for Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson.

The Seahawks fired Schottenheimer after the 2020 season, and he spent 2021 as the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars under Urban Meyer. The squad finished 3-14 with the worst scoring offense in the NFL, ranking 27th in net passing yards per attempt.

He will now take over a Cowboys offense that finished fourth in points scored last year and first in 2021.

The unit is loaded with Pro Bowlers, starting with quarterback Dak Prescott, receiver CeeDee Lamb and offensive guard Zack Martin. Free-agent running back Tony Pollard could also make a huge impact if he returns alongside Ezekiel Elliott.

McCarthy got his first NFL job working for Schottenheimer's father, Marty Schottenheimer, with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1993.