Schottenheimer Drawing Inspiration from Spurrier in First Season Leading Cowboys

Brian Schottenheimer was a three-year backup quarterback with the Florida Gators in the mid-90s.

Jul 30, 2024; Oxnard, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer during training camp at the River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, California. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images | Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

Heading into his first season as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, Brian Schottenheimer is drawing inspiration from one of his collegiate head coaches.

Schottenheimer, a former Florida Gators quarterback, was seen rocking a visor during the franchise's OTAs, which he credits to Steve Spurrier.

"It actually is a little bit of an ode to Coach Spurrier," he said. "For those of you that don't know, '96 national champs Florida Gators. I transferred from the University of Kansas. I had to sit out for a year with the old transfer rules, but he told me that if I went there, he'd let me wear a headset and be involved and be the signal caller which was great."

Schottenheimer joined Florida in 1993, and after sitting out the season, was a three-year backup behind Danny Wuerffel for the next three seasons. While he won't go down as a Gator legend for his play on the field with only 290 career passing yards and two touchdowns, Schottenheimer was tasked with an important role during his time in Gainesville.

"What I didn't realize was what (being the signal caller) also entailed was anytime he threw his visor, which was probably five to seven times a game, I was responsible for picking it up," he said.

Schottenheimer also recalled a time when he forgot his duties after Spurrier, angry at a play from Wuerffel, threw his visor. After giving Schottenheimer a look for forgetting his duties, the now-Cowboys' coach quickly remembered his duties and gave Spurrier his visor so the head coach could get back to work.

"Honestly, that's where I first noticed it," Schottenheimer said. "I think I look better in a visor than a hat."

The Cowboys wrap up the third set of its OTAs on Friday and return on Monday. The Schottenheimer era officially kicks off on Aug. 9 at 6 p.m. when the Cowboys play at the Los Angeles Rams.