The Dallas Cowboys were slow to begin their head coaching search this offseason. Jerry Jones and his team waited until the playoffs were in full swing before deciding to part ways with Mike McCarthy, and now the Cowboys are on the hunt for their next leader.

On Tuesday, the Cowboys scheduled an interview with a candidate few saw coming. Current Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer interviewed for the team’s vacant head coaching position.

After the Cowboys made the announcement on social media, fans were stunned and quickly expressed their discontent with the idea.

“If you really hire a guy who isn’t a good offensive coordinator to be head coach, I’m done,” one fan posted on X, formerly Twitter.

“Huge L. If we hire Schott over other candidates for HC, I’ll be very inclined to not watch a single Cowboys game next season,” another fan wrote.

Schottenheimer has served as the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator for two seasons since Kellen Moore’s departure, and now he is seeking a promotion. Although he has no NFL head coaching experience, he has a long tenure as an assistant, including roles with the St. Louis Rams, the New York Jets, and the Seattle Seahawks as offensive coordinator.

It’s unclear whether Schottenheimer would call the plays if hired as head coach or if he would bring in another offensive coordinator. However, it’s certain that the Cowboys’ offense must improve next season if they plan to make another playoff run.

Schottenheimer joins a small group of candidates who have interviewed with the Cowboys, including Seattle Seahawks assistant head coach Leslie Frazier, former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh, and Moore, who is now the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles.

From their reactions, Cowboys fans are hoping the team looks elsewhere for the next head coach. But Schottenheimer has had his chance to impress Jones and the front office, and now the team must make the tough call.