Last Updated on October 26, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Brian Schottenheimer is an American professional football coach and the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 16, 1973, in Denver, Colorado, Schottenheimer comes from a family with a remarkable history in professional football.
As the son of legendary NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer, Brian grew up surrounded by football. However, his family story extends beyond his famous father and includes his wife, children, mother, sister and other relatives who have supported his career.
Brian Schottenheimer is married to Gemmi Schottenheimer, whom he met while working for Washington’s NFL franchise in 2001. The couple married in 2002 and have two children, Sutton and Savannah.
His parents are the late Marty Schottenheimer and Patricia “Pat” Schottenheimer. He also has a sister named Kristen Schottenheimer, who has been involved in Alzheimer’s awareness and charitable initiatives honoring their father’s legacy.
Here is everything publicly known about Brian Schottenheimer’s family, including his wife, children, parents, siblings and extended family.
Brian Schottenheimer’s Wife: Meet Gemmi Schottenheimer
Brian Schottenheimer’s wife is Gemmi Schottenheimer, his longtime partner and the mother of his two children.
The couple has been married since June 29, 2002, and their relationship began during Brian’s early years as an NFL assistant coach.
Unlike her husband, who has spent much of his adult life working in professional football, Gemmi has generally maintained a relatively private personal life.
However, she has occasionally appeared in interviews discussing her husband’s coaching journey, their relationship and the importance of family.
How Did Brian Schottenheimer Meet His Wife?
Brian and Gemmi Schottenheimer met in 2001 while working for the Washington Redskins, now known as the Washington Commanders.
At the time, Brian was serving as the team’s quarterbacks coach under his father, Marty Schottenheimer, who was Washington’s head coach.
Gemmi also worked for the organization and assisted Marty with various responsibilities.
During a 2025 interview with FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, Gemmi explained that she initially did not realize Brian was Marty’s son.
She noticed that Brian always addressed his father as “Coach” while working at the team’s facilities, demonstrating his desire to maintain professional boundaries.
As Gemmi became more familiar with Marty and the family, she developed a relationship with Brian.
Their romance eventually led to marriage in 2002.
When Did Brian Schottenheimer Get Married?
Brian Schottenheimer and Gemmi married on June 29, 2002.
Their marriage has continued through more than two decades of football-related relocations, coaching changes and professional challenges.
During that time, Brian has worked for several NFL organizations, including the San Diego Chargers, New York Jets, St. Louis Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars and Dallas Cowboys.
Gemmi has remained an important part of his personal support system throughout those moves.
As of now, Brian and Gemmi Schottenheimer remain publicly identified as a married couple with two children.
Gemmi Schottenheimer’s Reaction to Brian Becoming Cowboys Head Coach
One of the most memorable public moments involving Gemmi occurred in January 2025, when Brian was appointed head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.
According to FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth, Brian contacted his wife after receiving the coaching opportunity.
However, rather than announcing the news himself, he allowed Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and executive Stephen Jones to speak with Gemmi on the telephone.
Jerry personally informed her that Brian would become the team’s new head coach.
Gemmi described the experience as emotional and exciting, particularly because her husband had dreamed of becoming an NFL head coach since his college football days.
She explained that Brian had carried a handwritten note in his wallet describing his ambition to become the youngest head coach in NFL history.
Although he did not achieve that particular age-related goal, his appointment in Dallas represented the fulfillment of a lifelong professional ambition.
Brian Schottenheimer’s Children: Meet Sutton and Savannah
Brian Schottenheimer and his wife, Gemmi, have two children: a son named Sutton Schottenheimer and a daughter named Savannah Schottenheimer.
Their names are confirmed in Brian’s official Dallas Cowboys coaching biography and previous NFL team publications.
Despite their father’s public career, both children have largely remained outside the national media spotlight.
Brian Schottenheimer’s Son: Sutton Schottenheimer
Sutton Schottenheimer is Brian and Gemmi’s son and their eldest child.
He grew up around professional football while his father worked for different NFL teams.
According to a 2018 feature published by The Spokesman-Review, Sutton frequently attended Seattle Seahawks training camp when Brian was the team’s offensive coordinator.
His presence around the team reflected the Schottenheimer family’s long-standing connection to NFL football.
Like his father before him, Sutton had opportunities to observe the professional football environment from an early age.
However, information about his current occupation, educational background and private life is not extensively documented in reliable mainstream sources.
Brian Schottenheimer’s Daughter: Savannah Schottenheimer
Savannah Schottenheimer is Brian and Gemmi’s daughter and the younger of their two children.
She has occasionally been mentioned in football publications discussing Brian’s family and his efforts to balance coaching responsibilities with parenthood.
As of now, Savannah has maintained a relatively private life, and detailed information about her education, career and personal relationships has not been widely published.
Brian has occasionally discussed how important his children are to him, particularly when reflecting on the influence of his own father.
In a 2025 NFL interview, he spoke about the significance of Father’s Day and his appreciation for being a parent to two children.
Brian Schottenheimer’s Parents: Marty and Pat Schottenheimer
Brian Schottenheimer was born to Marty Schottenheimer and Patricia “Pat” Schottenheimer.
His upbringing was closely connected to professional football because his father spent decades working as an NFL player, assistant coach and head coach.
Both parents influenced his development, although Brian has frequently identified his father as his greatest professional mentor.
Brian Schottenheimer’s Father: Marty Schottenheimer
Brian Schottenheimer’s father was Marty Schottenheimer, one of the most recognizable head coaches in NFL history.
Born on September 23, 1943, in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, Marty played college football at the University of Pittsburgh before becoming a professional linebacker.
He played for the Buffalo Bills and Boston Patriots before transitioning into coaching.
Marty eventually became head coach of four NFL franchises:
- Cleveland Browns (1984–1988)
- Kansas City Chiefs (1989–1998)
- Washington Redskins (2001)
- San Diego Chargers (2002–2006)
Throughout his NFL head coaching career, Marty recorded 200 regular-season victories and built a reputation for disciplined, competitive teams.
His coaching philosophy became widely associated with the expression “Martyball,” reflecting an approach that emphasized physical football, defensive strength and ball control.
For Brian, however, Marty was more than a successful football coach. He was also a father, mentor and close friend.
Growing up, Brian frequently visited NFL practice facilities, attended games and observed his father’s preparation.
These experiences helped him develop an interest in coaching long before he began his professional career.
Did Brian Schottenheimer Work With His Father?
Yes. Brian Schottenheimer worked as an assistant coach under his father on multiple occasions.
He joined Marty’s Kansas City Chiefs coaching staff in 1998 before reuniting with him in Washington in 2001.
Brian subsequently worked as quarterbacks coach for the San Diego Chargers from 2002 to 2005 while Marty served as head coach.
According to the Dallas Cowboys, father and son spent six seasons coaching together.
During those years, Brian learned valuable lessons about preparation, accountability and building relationships with players.
When Brian became the Cowboys’ head coach in January 2025, he spoke emotionally about the influence his father had on his life.
He expressed his belief that Marty would have been proud to see him achieve his ambition of leading an NFL franchise.
What Happened to Brian Schottenheimer’s Father?
Marty Schottenheimer died on February 8, 2021, in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the age of 77.
He had been living with Alzheimer’s disease for several years before his death.
His family publicly acknowledged his illness and supported awareness initiatives aimed at helping other families affected by the condition.
Brian has continued honoring his father’s memory throughout his coaching career.
His appointment as Dallas Cowboys head coach in 2025 held special meaning because Marty was no longer alive to witness the milestone.
Brian has also spoken about his ambition to win a Super Bowl championship as a head coach and dedicate that achievement to his father’s legacy.
Brian Schottenheimer’s Mother: Patricia “Pat” Schottenheimer
Brian Schottenheimer’s mother is Patricia Schottenheimer, commonly known as Pat Schottenheimer.
Pat was married to Marty Schottenheimer for more than five decades, supporting his coaching career while helping raise their two children, Brian and Kristen.
During Marty’s coaching career, the family experienced frequent relocations associated with different NFL opportunities.
Pat helped maintain family stability throughout those changes.
She also encouraged Brian to establish his own professional identity rather than simply relying on his father’s reputation.
In a 2001 interview with The Washington Post, Brian explained that his mother had taught him the importance of independence and making his own decisions.
When Brian became the Cowboys’ head coach in January 2025, Pat attended his introductory press conference and expressed pride in his achievement.
She recalled that Brian had grown up watching football film alongside his father and learning how coaches prepared for games.
Pat believed those childhood experiences had helped prepare him for the responsibilities of leading an NFL team.
Brian Schottenheimer’s Siblings: Meet His Sister Kristen
Brian Schottenheimer has one publicly documented sibling: his sister, Kristen Schottenheimer.
He is the only son of Marty and Pat Schottenheimer.
Brian Schottenheimer’s Sister: Kristen Schottenheimer
Kristen Schottenheimer is Brian’s sister and the daughter of Marty and Patricia Schottenheimer.
Although she has not pursued the same NFL coaching career as her father and brother, Kristen has worked in broadcasting, business and fitness.
According to Sporting News, she previously worked as a television sports host in Kansas City while Marty was coaching the Chiefs.
She later worked in the financial services industry before becoming involved in fitness training.
Kristen is particularly recognized for her involvement in raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease.
After her father developed the condition, she became involved in efforts to support families experiencing similar difficulties.
Kristen Schottenheimer and SchottyStrong
Kristen helped establish SchottyStrong, an initiative dedicated to honoring Marty Schottenheimer and supporting Alzheimer’s awareness.
The initiative shares information about Marty’s life and encourages charitable contributions benefiting Alzheimer’s-related causes.
Following her father’s death in February 2021, Kristen participated in public tributes celebrating his character, career and commitment to family.
Her work demonstrates that the Schottenheimer family’s legacy extends beyond football into charitable activities and health advocacy.
Kristen and Brian have both continued publicly honoring their father’s memory.
Brian Schottenheimer’s Uncle: Kurt Schottenheimer
Another notable member of Brian Schottenheimer’s extended family is his uncle, Kurt Schottenheimer.
Kurt is the younger brother of Marty Schottenheimer and also pursued a professional football coaching career.
He worked as an NFL assistant coach, including coaching positions with the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs and Washington Redskins.
Kurt worked alongside Marty during portions of their professional careers, further strengthening the family’s connections to NFL coaching.
With Marty, Brian and Kurt all having coached professionally, football has remained a significant part of the Schottenheimer family across generations.
How Brian Schottenheimer’s Family Influenced His Coaching Career
Brian Schottenheimer’s professional football journey began long before he became the Dallas Cowboys’ head coach.
Growing up in an NFL family gave him unusual access to the daily responsibilities and challenges associated with coaching.
He attended Blue Valley High School in Kansas before beginning his college football career at the University of Kansas.
He later transferred to the University of Florida, where he played quarterback under head coach Steve Spurrier.
During his time with the Gators, Brian was part of the program that won the national championship following the 1996 season.
He began his professional coaching career with the St. Louis Rams in 1997.
Over the following decades, he worked with numerous NFL teams and developed experience coaching quarterbacks and coordinating offenses.
Among the notable quarterbacks he worked with were Drew Brees, Mark Sanchez and Russell Wilson.
In 2022, Schottenheimer joined the Dallas Cowboys as a coaching analyst before becoming offensive coordinator in 2023.
On January 24, 2025, he was appointed the franchise’s 10th head coach, replacing Mike McCarthy.
The achievement represented the fulfillment of an ambition he had pursued for much of his adult life.
His wife, children, mother and sister were all part of the family story surrounding this career milestone.
Although Marty was no longer alive, Brian repeatedly acknowledged that his father’s teachings helped prepare him for the opportunity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brian Schottenheimer’s Family
Who is Brian Schottenheimer’s wife?
Brian Schottenheimer’s wife is Gemmi Schottenheimer. They met while working for Washington’s NFL franchise in 2001 and married in June 2002.
Is Brian Schottenheimer still married?
As of now, Brian Schottenheimer and Gemmi remain publicly identified as a married couple.
Does Brian Schottenheimer have children?
Yes. Brian and Gemmi Schottenheimer have two children, a son named Sutton and a daughter named Savannah.
Who is Brian Schottenheimer’s son?
His son is Sutton Schottenheimer, the eldest of his two children.
Who is Brian Schottenheimer’s daughter?
His daughter is Savannah Schottenheimer, the younger of his two children.
Who are Brian Schottenheimer’s parents?
His parents are the late NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer and Patricia “Pat” Schottenheimer.
Is Brian Schottenheimer related to Marty Schottenheimer?
Yes. Marty Schottenheimer was Brian’s father and a longtime NFL head coach who recorded 200 regular-season victories.
Is Brian Schottenheimer’s father still alive?
No. Marty Schottenheimer died on February 8, 2021, at the age of 77 following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Does Brian Schottenheimer have siblings?
Yes. He has a sister named Kristen Schottenheimer, who has worked in broadcasting, fitness and Alzheimer’s awareness initiatives.
Who is Brian Schottenheimer’s uncle?
His uncle is Kurt Schottenheimer, a former NFL assistant coach and the younger brother of Marty Schottenheimer.
What NFL team does Brian Schottenheimer coach?
Brian Schottenheimer is the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. He was appointed to the position in January 2025.
Mariah Miranda is a dedicated sports journalist specializing in comprehensive NFL coverage, playbook strategy, and team analytics. From offseason Draft planning and free-agency moves to weekly matchup breakdowns and playoff pushes, she delivers clear, data-driven analysis of every division in the league. Driven by a deep understanding of football tactics and locker-room dynamics, Mariah brings fans closer to the gridiron with sharp commentary and player updates.
