Stephen A. Smith strongly criticized Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer after he described himself as a great coach amid mounting pressure. Smith argued that Schottenheimer’s record does not support the claim, especially with Dallas struggling early in the 2026 NFL season.
Schottenheimer addressed the criticism surrounding the Cowboys and acknowledged that some of it was deserved.
“We got to play better. I got to coach better,” Schottenheimer said. However, he also defended his confidence, adding, “I’ve got strong shoulders. I know what a great coach I am. I know what this team is capable of.”
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Smith responded on First Take, questioning whether Schottenheimer had earned the right to make such a declaration.
“Respectfully, Brian Schottenheimer, you have no business classifying yourself as that,” Smith said. “That’s problem one, two, and three right there.”
“He seems like a really nice man. Dallas’ offense was clicking last year. And considering the fact that he was an offensive coordinator in Seattle and Dallas before he became the head coach, I can respect that… [However] He had nobody out there looking to hire him when Jerry Jones plucked him out of obscurity and gave him the head coaching job.”
Stephen A. Smith points to Cowboys coach’s record
Smith highlighted Schottenheimer’s 9-13-1 record as an NFL head coach, arguing that results should determine how coaches describe themselves publicly.
“If that is his definition of great, there’s a whole bunch of people out here who are great that we haven’t been talking about,” Smith said. “You just can’t say stuff like that. You just can’t.”
The ESPN personality also questioned the Cowboys’ offensive performance. Dallas entered the discussion after a disappointing start (they have a 2-4 record), with concerns about its production and Schottenheimer’s play-calling responsibilities.
Smith argued that a coach cannot repeatedly praise his team’s potential while failing to deliver consistent results. He compared the situation to expecting players to meet high standards without demonstrating those standards themselves.
“I like Brian Schottenheimer,” Smith clarified, insisting his criticism was not simply another attack on Dallas. “This is about bare-bones facts.”
“What the h*** are you doing with the cameras rolling and the microphone hot as a grown man and a head coach of an NFL franchise, 4 games under .500 in your career, and you actually uttered out of your mouth, ‘I know I’m a great coach’? Come on, man… You just can’t do that. Stop it.”
He challenged Schottenheimer to prove his credentials through results rather than statements.
“Maybe you are great,” Smith said. “The record doesn’t say so.”
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The Cowboys have struggled to find consistency, and pressure continues to build around their head coach. Schottenheimer’s confidence may help him manage the scrutiny, but Dallas needs better performances to silence its critics.
With the season still unfolding, his results will ultimately determine whether his bold assessment holds up.
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