Former Pro Bowl quarterback Alex Smith didn’t hold back during ESPN’s “Postseason Countdown” on Sunday, sharply criticizing the Dallas Cowboys’ decision to hire Brian Schottenheimer as their new head coach.
While co-hosts Rex Ryan and Tedy Bruschi were heaping praise on Schottenheimer, Smith questioned the Cowboys’ commitment to winning and called the process “bizarre.”
“I’m gonna push back a little bit on both you guys,” Smith bluntly said. ”Listen, I wish [Schottenheimer] well. I know him a little bit. He’s a long time, really good football coach. He’s never been a head football coach, right? And he hasn’t interviewed for a head coaching job in a long time.”
Smith’s concerns didn’t stop there.
He expressed skepticism about the Cowboys’ direction, pointing out that the team’s search for a new head coach seemed lazy and misguided.
“And to think about how this entire process went down, it makes me question if the Dallas Cowboys are even serious about winning. Listen to the group they interviewed: Kellen Moore, Robert Saleh, Leslie Frazier and Brian Schottenheimer. They didn’t even take a look at the most promising candidates out there.”
The former quarterback also emphasized the Cowboys’ long drought since their last NFC Championship appearance.
“You haven’t been to an NFC Championship Game since 1995, and that is the worst in the conference by a long shot. Next is the Bears, and it was 2010. So by all measures, from a postseason success standpoint, you are the worst team in the conference, right? The entire thing is bizarre and doesn’t make sense. Again, I like Schotty, but is this an upgrade over Mike McCarthy?”
Smith wasn’t alone in questioning the move.
Dallas Cowboys legend Michael Irvin also voiced his concern. Irvin, who has been a staunch advocate for change, said he was disappointed by the hire.
“You’re bringing in someone that was already inside as the head coach,” Irvin said. “You lose things there that you can’t grab back, that I’m worried about. … They don’t have curfew. They don’t have discipline. So, how do you fix that? How do you do that when you’re coming from inside?”
Irvin also expressed regret over what he sees as a missed opportunity.
“Here’s my issue: We lost an opportunity,” he continued. “I was pushing for Deion Sanders to be the head coach. And I still stand 10 toes down on that push.”
Owner Jerry Jones has defended his decision to hire the “non-sexy” Schottenheimer.
With frustration already at a boiling point, Jones better hopes his decision works out. Most Dallas fans are not thrilled with the hire and think things will only get worse as long as Jones is calling the shots.
What are your thoughts on Smith’s comments? … More importantly, what do YOU think of the Schottenheimer hire???
