The Dallas Cowboys and new head coach Brian Schottenheimer added to their coaching staff with the hiring of offensive coordinator Klayton Adams.

Though Adams isn’t expected to be the Cowboys’ playcaller, he’ll presumedly take over several other aspects of the Dallas offense.

Here are five things to know about the Cowboys’ new OC.

2. Résumé

Adams has been in coaching for two decades between college and pro football. He’s slowly worked his way up the ladder, moving to a lot of different stops and getting several promotions.

He started at Boise State as a grad assistant in 2005. Then he was an offensive position coach at Western Washington (2007-08), Sacramento State (2009-10), San Jose State (2011-12) and Colorado (2013). With the Buffaloes, he got his first big promotion, named their co-offensive coordinator in 2018.

After that, the NFL called. In 2019 Adams took a job as an assistant offensive line coach for the Indianapolis Colts, then was promoted in 2021 to tight ends coach. He stayed there for two years, then was hired on by Arizona, where he coached the offensive line from 2023-24.

3. Run game

Schottenheimer steps in as the Cowboys’ head coach already with a reputation for preferring a strong run game. He won a Super Bowl as the Seahawks’ OC with Marshawn Lynch as their running back.

The Klayton Adams hire seems to confirm that running the football will be a priority in Dallas.

In 2024, Arizona finished 7th in the NFL in rushing yards (2,451) and yards per game (144.2). The previous season, the Cardinals were fourth in rushing yards (2,365) and yards per game (139.1).

4. Intriguing theory

Now … is Adams’ run-heavy background expected to impact the Cowboys’ 2025 first-round draft pick, No. 12 overall? That’s yet to be seen, but some on social media have a theory.

There’s a certain running back from Boise State who could be available, should he get to No. 12. Drafting Ashton Jeanty would be a nice housewarming gift for a run-heavy OC.

The capper: Klayton Adams was an offensive lineman at Boise State where he was a part of two WAC Championship teams. He graduated in 2004 and converted to an assistant for the Broncos in 2005.

5. ‘Meat and potatoes’ kind of coach

Adams, 41, was born and grew up in Sacramento.

In an article for The Athletic in 2021 when he was brought on by the Cardinals, Adams is described as a “grinder.” He was a very undersized o-lineman at 5-10 but he was second-team All-WAC as a senior. As an old college coach said, “he’ll bring the meat and potatoes.”

Off the field, though, he’s a “girl-dad” three times over. He and his wife, Stefani, have three daughters, Mya, Emmy and Harper.

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