NEW ORLEANS – The week of the Super Bowl is a gathering of some of the most well-known names in football. From current and former players and coaches to celebrities and media personalities, everyone descended upon New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX.
After spending a few days on in the Big Easy, DallasCowboys.com spoke to several notable figures in the football space about the Cowboys' hiring of Brian Schottenheimer.
Here are some reactions from around the league to the news:
Jon Gruden - former NFL head coach
"Football royalty name, of course. I competed against Marty Schottenheimer when he was with the Chiefs, great coach. Spent some time with Brian when he was the offensive coordinator with the Jets, he's got a great history, got a lot of experience."
"I was kind of surprised they made a change, honestly, but I wish him well and I know he's got the experience to draw from and he's got a lot of good players to work with."
Daryl "Moose" Johnston – Former Cowboys fullback
"I probably know Brian better personally than I do professionally, our families used to bump into each other a couple of times out in Colorado on ski vacations. I've always been a big fan of Marty Schottenheimer, I loved his coaching style, it was always hard playing against his teams."
"So if Brian has that component to him, they will be physical in everything they do, I know he's got a big lean to the run game which is something that I appreciate, so I think it could be something completely different, and you've seen the NFL move that way now, so maybe you're getting a little bit ahead of the curve with somebody that's really going to commit to that."
Jimmy Johnson – former Cowboys head coach, FOX Sports analyst
"I wish Brian all the luck in the world, I texted him the other day and said if there's anything I can ever do, just give me a call."
"I think he's an outstanding football coach, he's got a great history as far as being in the league. The other thing is I think Brian was a big part of putting together the gameplans with Mike McCarthy, and so I think that had a lot to do with him getting the head coaching job."
Darren Woodson – Former Cowboys defensive back, Ring of Honor member
"I'm going to support whoever they deem is the right guy. I understand the criticism where all the criticism is coming out from because they haven't had success. They haven't won a championship and they're the number one franchise in sports. So of course you're a lightning rod to the criticism."
"I'm a firm believer as you rally behind it, but whoever the coach is, they're going to have to establish themselves really quickly and the players are going to have to buy into the system."
Chris Simms – Former NFL quarterback, NBC football analyst
"A lot of respect, always had such great respect for his dad. That's where it starts… the one thing I have always like about his offense is his run game, he's been creative in the run game."
"Is it an offense in totality that blows me away all the time? No, but hopefully that is better and improves and everything there, but I do like some of his run game prowess in what he does there."
Kellen Moore - former Cowboys offensive coordinator, Philadelphia Eagles OC
"Schotty's a great person, loved my year working with him, obviously we connected a lot just as far as the game plans… Schotty was phenomenal for me, and he'll be great for Dak [Prescott] and all those guys."
Ashton Jeanty – Boise State running back
"I keep up a little bit, I think he'll do a good job. Not too familiar with him as well, but definitely will keep doing my research and see how he talks to the media and that type of stuff."
Zack Martin – Cowboys 9x Pro Bowl offensive lineman
"I'm excited for him, man. He's made an impression on that building the last couple of years, I think what he does really well is he does a great job of having relationships in the building with everyone, whether it be an offensive player or a defensive player."
"I know that's kind of at the forefront of what he wants to bring to the organization is those relationships within the team and throughout the people who work there, and I think he'll do a great job with that."
Brandon Aubrey – Cowboys 2x Pro Bowl kicker
"He's done a great job communicating with all the players, I know the offensive guys that work directly with him absolutely love him, he's got a sharp mind, he knows football, he's been around it his entire life."
"[He] never had an opportunity to be a head coach so obviously you can't judge anyone at a job until they get a chance to do it. I think we got to give him a chance and let him roll, I think he's going to surprise a lot of people."
