Schottenheimer wanted to change the culture at The Star, but has he done it in 2025?
Brian Schottenheimer's first season as Dallas Cowboys head coach is officially over, and it wasn't one we will look back on too fondly.
A 7-9-1 record and missing the playoffs aren't great for the resume.
But this season was never about making and winning the Super Bowl. The franchise made that clear when they traded Micah Parsons a week before the season started.
It was about building a foundation for future success ... or at least that's what Schotty hopes.
Now we turn to the offseason.
Free agency, the draft, and the futures of several players, including George Pickens, Javonte Williams, and Jadeveon Clowney, will take center stage.
So, what was Schotty's message to the locker room after a season that had a lot of ups and downs?
“Just really a grateful heart, No. 1,” Schottenheimer said on Cowboys Huddle. “How much I appreciate them, what they do, the sacrifice they make. We certainly came up short of our goal, but again, I do think we've built something pretty special here in terms of the culture. Very proud of a number of things that we did, the way we played on offense, and some things like that.
"But more than anything, I wanted to thank them for their time, their sacrifice, and really the effort that they put into this season with the unique schedule. ...
"How much I love them and appreciate him.”
It is hard to define "culture" and for most, it means different things to different people.
Is it the way you play? Is it how you manage relationships? Is it how you approach building your team?
Or is it what Schottenheimer has done in the past 12 months? Galvanize the locker room by having hard conversations, disciplining star players (Lamb and Pickens), and ensuring the standard is met at all times.
Or is it all of the above?
Schottenheimer is doing his best to change the narrative surrounding the Cowboys.
Having a head coach like Brian, who values relationships and player bonds, feels like a different vibe compared to previous seasons.
That doesn't necessarily mean it will translate to wins, but it is clear Schottenheimer is doing his best, one day at a time, to build the culture he wants. Yes, there are those who think that as long as Jerry Jones remains in his position, the culture won't change.
But Schottenheimer is doing what he can to change it. One brick at a time.
And his final message to the Cowboys locker room before they head off into the offseason might just be evidence of that.