As Brian Schottenheimer embarks on his first season as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, he carries with him the profound influence of his father, Marty Schottenheimer, a revered figure in the NFL. Marty, who passed away in 2021, left behind a legacy that Brian strives to honor both on and off the field.

Father's Day holds a special significance for Brian, not only as a father himself but also as a son who deeply cherishes the bond he shared with his dad. Marty's dream of seeing Brian coach the Cowboys never materialized, but Brian knows his father would be proud.

"I know he's proud," Brian said, his voice filled with emotion. "I miss him... I would tell him that I've used all the life lessons that he taught me, not just about football. But about life and being a good man, good husband, and good father. I think I'm doing OK for myself."

Brian has taken a unique approach in his first offseason with the Cowboys, focusing on building strong connections with his players. He organized a crawfish boil and a paintball game during the initial days of the offseason program. Daily activities like free throw shooting competitions and putting contests have fostered camaraderie among the team.

His coaching philosophy, "Compete Every Day," is a testament to the lessons he learned from his father. Brian recalls a pivotal moment during his introductory press conference at The Star, where the presence of his players calmed his nerves and reaffirmed his approach.

"When I turned the corner, I saw the players, all the players that were here, and he would know the fact that all those players showed up that I'm doing it the right way," Brian shared. "I'm doing it through connection. I'm doing it through love. I'm doing it through juice and energy. And that actually calmed me down. It really did."

Brian also leans on his father's friends, like Bill Cowher, for guidance. He often hears stories from former players about how Marty changed their lives, further cementing his father's enduring legacy in the NFL.

"He never won a Super Bowl. He won over 200 games in the NFL, but I would put his legacy up with anyone that's ever coached the game," Brian said with pride.