Is being likable enough to lead an NFL team?

In this episode of Just Wondering, Norm Hitzges takes a thoughtful look at Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer and asks a question many fans are quietly wondering: can a “Mr. Nice Guy” succeed long-term in the NFL? Norm breaks down coaching styles from Tom Landry to Bill Belichick, and introduces the idea of the “thundering velvet hand” — leadership that blends discipline with care — while questioning whether Schottenheimer strikes the balance players need to win.

Then the focus shifts to the Dallas Mavericks, where injuries to Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving force a hard reset. Norm lays out a blunt plan: forget the playoffs, invest in young players, and start building for the future. From developing Ryan Nemhard and Brandon Williams to eyeing draft position and long-term roster construction around Cooper Flagg, Norm explains why patience now could pay off later — even if it’s not the plan fans hoped for.

It’s a candid, realistic look at leadership, culture, and decision-making in Dallas sports — the kind of thinking that doesn’t chase headlines, but might just point the way forward.

Chapters

00:00:00 – Opening thoughts and today’s big questions

00:01:27 – Is Brian Schottenheimer simply too nice?

00:02:53 – Coaching styles: fear, respect, and leadership

00:04:21 – The “thundering velvet hand” explained

00:05:14 – Why likability may not equal long-term success

00:05:14 – Transition to the Mavericks and roster reality

00:07:46 – Anthony Davis injured again and plans unravel

00:08:29 – Forget the playoffs: time to invest in youth

00:09:30 – Building next year’s lineup around Cooper Flagg

00:10:16 – Trade flexibility and long-term roster vision

00:11:02 – Why this plan offers a real future

00:11:13 – Sponsors and closing reflections

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Just Wondering is a long-form sports commentary podcast hosted by longtime broadcaster Norm Hitzges, offering thoughtful, numbers-driven analysis of the NFL, college sports, the NBA, and the business and culture surrounding them. Each episode blends experience, history, and curiosity to explore why things happen — not just what happened.

New episodes feature clear-eyed perspective, context you don’t hear elsewhere, and questions worth sitting with a little longer.

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Sports podcast · NFL analysis · College football · Dallas sports · NBA commentary · Salary cap · NIL · Sports media · Long-form sports talk