Cowboys back Schottenheimer

Sports · Heat 1.6 / 10 · 2 shows · 1h 0m airtime

On October 20, 2026, Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones said the organization absolutely believes in head coach Brian Schottenheimer. The discussion centers on two established marks: Dallas is number one in penalties and penalty yards under Schottenheimer, and the defense has allowed 20 or more points in 13 straight games, a franchise record and the longest active streak in the league. Schottenheimer has since said publicly that Pickens must block safeties and corners in the run game like Javonte Williams, and that he knows what a great coach he is, against a 9-13-1 NFL head coaching record. What those records mean for his standing remains the open question.

How 2 podcasts covered it

1. Nightcap, 2026-10-20 (37:31 to 42:47)
   Measures the vote of confidence against the defense
   Picks up Stephen Jones's vote of confidence in Brian Schottenheimer and measures it against Dallas's defense: 13 straight games allowing 20-plus points, a franchise record and the longest active streak in the league. Ends in a bet on Cowboys-Commanders.
   New angle: The Cowboys have allowed 20-plus points in 13 straight games, a franchise record and the longest active streak.
2. First Take, 2026-10-22 (16:10 to 23:53)
   Runs the vote of confidence through deadline news
   Runs the Stephen Jones vote of confidence through the trade-deadline news: Jerry Jones says he would be active, McCoy and Riddick say the roster is not the problem, and Smith argues Dallas is too loyal to its coaches. Stays inside the Schottenheimer story.
3. Nightcap, 2026-10-23 (24:05 to 39:49)
   Debates the public call-out of Pickens
   Takes up Schottenheimer's public call-out of George Pickens for not blocking in the run game, and the hosts split on whether it is accountability or a coach deflecting from a defense that cannot stop anyone. The Eagles' Monday night injuries and a three-game losing streak fill out the segment.
   New angle: Schottenheimer publicly said Pickens must block safeties and corners in the run game like Javonte Williams.
4. First Take, 2026-10-23 (21:48 to 29:25)
   Plays Schottenheimer's defense and lets Smith dismantle it
   Plays Schottenheimer's own defense of his coaching and lets Stephen A. Smith dismantle it, leaning on the 9-13-1 record and Jerry Jones plucking him from obscurity. The reaction stays inside the support story, but the coach's on-record claim is new to the file.
   New angle: Schottenheimer said on the record, 'I know what a great coach I am,' and his NFL head coaching record is 9-13-1.
5. First Take, 2026-10-26 (0:53 to 14:48)
   Argues over whether Dallas's season is over
   Irvin and Stephen A. Smith argue over whether a loss in Philadelphia ends Dallas's season, trading the same marks already on the record: the 1-7-1 primetime line, the 9-13-1 head coaching record and the 3-8 stretch. Both pick Dallas to beat a Hurts-less Eagles.
6. First Take, 2026-10-27 (10:33 to 14:42)
   Recaps the press conference and Dak's defense
   Recaps Schottenheimer's four-minute postgame press conference and Dak Prescott's defense of him, then replays the 'I know I'm a great coach' line against the 9-13-1 record. Stephen A. Smith's argument stays inside the case already on the record.
7. First Take, 2026-10-27 (14:42 to 20:26)
   Debates whether Schottenheimer deserves criticism
   Debates whether Schottenheimer deserves the criticism, with Canty and Saturday arguing context - losing his best player on the eve of his first season, the tragedy, a winnable division - and Stephen A. Smith arguing winning is how you have a coach's back. Opinion and framing, no new development.