In just six months as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, Brian Schottenheimer is already making a powerful impression—not only on his current roster but also on the legends who built the franchise’s legacy.
On May 30, Schottenheimer and the Cowboys hosted “Legends Day,” welcoming about 25 former Cowboys players from various eras to attend one of the organized team activities at The Star.
"I was just blown away,” said former defensive lineman Tony Casillas, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the Cowboys back in the 1990s. "Magnetic personality. Very positive. [Schottenheimer] just kind of captured my respect. I believe in first impressions. I don't know how it's going to transition into the season, but I just like that he captivated all of us that were there."
The former Dallas players got a chance to be present in position meetings and speak to the current players—offering tips and mentorship.
Schottenheimer’s central theme as head coach has been “Compete Every Day,” and he wanted the former Cowboys to witness firsthand the energy and intensity the team brings on a daily basis.
And he announced to the legends that they are welcome at his team's workouts any time.
"There's such great tradition and history here with the Cowboys, and you talk about not just the Super Bowl trophies, but some of the great players," Schottenheimer said. "We wanted them to kind of see our energy and our juice, the way we like to operate. They paved the way for the guys that sit in those chairs today.
"I mean they're part of our family. It's like having an uncle or grandfather, in some cases, that you can use as a sounding board. You can use as a mentor. Are they going to be friends? Hell, I hope so. But if they're not, there's experiences that they can garner from the likes of Randy White, Bob Lilly, Michael Irvin, Dat Nguyen."
By bridging generations of Cowboys through shared passion and purpose, Schottenheimer is not only honoring the past, but also laying the foundation for a new era of excellence in Dallas.