New Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer has hired his replacement as offensive coordinator. Klayton Adams will run the Cowboys’ offense after two seasons coaching offensive line for the Arizona Cardinals, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport.
Adams’ hiring fits with what Dallas COO Stephen Jones told Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein regarding what the team was seeking in a new coordinator. Schottenheimer, promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach on Jan. 24, will continue to call plays as head coach, so the Cowboys wanted a coach who could improve the offense’s rushing attack.
“The run game will be important in terms of how we fill that OC,” Jones told Epstein.
This tracks with Cowboys’ OC goal: run game coordinator who will improve blocking schemes.
Stephen Jones told me OC goal was “the best coach to help us…as far as improving our run game & with our offensive line. The run game will be important in terms of how we fill that OC.” https://t.co/J3JhKHsQ8n
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) January 31, 2025
The Cowboys ranked 27th in the NFL with 1,705 yards rushing, averaging 100.3 yards per game, so there is plenty for Adams to improve.
Rico Dowdle led Dallas with 1,079 yards rushing, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. However, Ezekiel Elliott only totaled 226 yards before being released after Week 17. No other Cowboys running back compiled 100 yards for the season.
Before joining Arizona’s staff, Adams coached tight ends and was an assistant offensive line coach with the Colts. He’s coached offensive line throughout his career, going back to his first regular assistant job as run game coordinator with Western Washington. Adams coached at Sacramento State, San Jose State and Colorado before moving to the NFL.
Adams joins former Chicago Bears coach Matt Eberflus, who was hired as the defensive coordinator on Schottenheimer’s new staff.
