Discipline in Dallas will define Brian Schottenheimer’s new culture

THREE’S COMPANY

OTAs began yesterday. The Cowboys, under rookie Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer, led the NFL in 2025 with the most penalties at 133. In the 2024 season, McCarthy’s team was 4th, and in 2023, 3rd, according to Stamuse. Do you see the Dallas trend here? Discipline lacks.

As a retired Navy veteran, I understand that cultural shifts take time when working in teams. Despite his rookie year’s body of work, how his team returns in 2026 will be the difference. Same story for newly vouched for Defensive Coordinator Christian Parker.

BUY IN = Agreement & Support (Most Common): The acceptance of and willingness to actively support an idea, plan, or policy.

Do you remember what the Four Opponenets every NFL team faces are? The “Discipline Opponent” is one of them. How will the year one culture change efforts compound in year two? Last season, we had the worst defense and were the most penalized team.

Offensive Coordinator Klayton Adams checks out after his rookie act with JaVontae Williams. His impact was the difference in the Cowboys retaining his services with a new contract. Integral to the Cowboys’ #2 overall 2025 offense. It takes three to tango in the “BIG GAME,” however, in the NFL.

You wanted YOUTH in Dallas. Now I want DISCIPLINE.

PEER TO PEER ACCOUNTABILITY

Between you and me, I will never use ChatGPT to write my Patreon posts. What you read here is typed by me to you. That’s creator to supporter accountability. Peer-to-peer is the type of accountability that will be imperative to the culture shift in Dallas coaching this season.

This is HOW you defeat the “Discipline Opponenet” every NFL team faces each season. Buy-in from all personnel, from coaches to players, will be reflected in the team’s total penalties. Playbook discipline matters with all three phases of the game, ask TOM.

Tom Landy’s dicispline in WWII as a pilot created an NFL record 20 consectuive winning seasons with America’s Team.

Players and Coaches must take pride in their work. That’s what the Navy taught me. That’s why I take pride in creating each one of these posts. The Navy also taught me that leadership is measured by how successful your teams are, or are not.

I feel this season’s going to be different. Running the ball won’t change. Dak’s offense will be another TOP 5, and Christian will definitely put the D back in Dallas. When you’re on the bottom, you have nowhere to go but up.

Stay tuned to learn how to connect with other Dallas Cowboys fans on August 15th for Cowboys Vs Seahawks pre-season game!

Stay tuned for more DISCIPLINE insights this summer. If you’re a new reader, download the Patreon app for the best experience with my content this season. Get my paid insights and the FOUR OPPENENTS full exclusive collection here today. Can you name the other THREE?

How many penalties will the Dallas Cowboys get this season? Leave me a comment below, and let’s come back after the season to see who was closest! My guess is over 100 but less than 110. Not remaining number one this season should be the ultimate goal!