OXNARD, Calif. – The Dallas Cowboys are back in action as training camp for the 2026 season kicks off in Oxnard, California. The team held its annual State of the Cowboys address on Tuesday, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer, along with owner, President, and General Manager Jerry Jones, and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Stephen Jones, addressed the media for approximately 41 minutes. Their message was clear: the team is determined to improve after last season’s disappointing performance.
The Cowboys finished the 2025 season with a record of 7-9-1, missing the postseason primarily due to defensive struggles. In response, the team has overhauled its defensive staff, hiring Christian Parker as the new defensive coordinator. This strategic move is aimed at revitalizing a defense that underperformed last season.
Schottenheimer expressed confidence in Parker’s abilities to turn the defense around. “Incredible communicator. I can’t say that enough,” Schottenheimer stated, highlighting the positive rapport Parker has built with players. “The way, you know, he’s an elite coach, is when you walk by his office and players, I mean, multiple players are in there wanting to listen and talk to him about scheme and things like that.”
Parker’s leadership style is evident in how he has organized training camp. Schottenheimer praised Parker’s meticulous approach, detailing the structured drills and schemes that have been implemented. “He is a first-time coordinator that doesn’t act like a first-time coordinator,” Schottenheimer noted, underscoring Parker’s preparedness and competence.
Reflecting on last season, Schottenheimer admitted that the team’s performance was unacceptable and emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes. “You learn things every day when you go through this process,” he explained, emphasizing the value of film grading and effective meetings as crucial components for improvement.
To keep his team engaged, Schottenheimer is committed to maintaining a fresh approach to training. “I’m also real big on not rinsing and repeating,” he remarked. “What I mean by that is that I don’t like the first team meeting to feel like the same first team meeting. That was last year, right? I think players in this era tune you out.”
With a renewed focus and a revamped coaching staff, the Cowboys are poised to hit the field with enthusiasm and determination. Fans can look forward to seeing how Schottenheimer and Parker’s strategies unfold during practice sessions, starting with their first practice on Wednesday at 11:45 a.m. PT.
