A couple of Dallas Cowboys coaches will be facing each other in a football game when they take over for different sides of the East-West Shrine Bowl, which is set to be played on Jan. 27 at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
The game aims to showcase the nation’s top college football players who are eligible for the NFL Draft. Like the Senior Bowl, it attracts NFL scouts, coaches, and executives from across the league.
On Thursday, the Shrine Bowl’s official social media account revealed its coaches on, and two big names from Brian Schottenheimer’s staff in Dallas popped up. And it could give the Cowboys a unique advantage heading into the 2026 offseason.
Lunda Wells to be HC
Cowboys TE coach Lunda Wells will take over a protagonist role as head coach of the West Team.
“I’m deeply honored to take part in the 101st East-West Shrine Game,” Wells said via Patrik Walker from DallasCowboys.com. “This game has deeply impacted young men’s lives on the football field, and also highlights the great work that the Shriners have done for many people that are in need through their charitable cause throughout the world! Truly an honor!”
Wells has been on the Cowboys since 2020 as tight ends coach, overseeing the development of standout tight ends Dalton Schultz and Jake Ferguson. Earlier in the month, Dan Quinn requested permission to interview him for offensive coordinator of the Washington Commanders.
When Wells takes over the West team, he will be facing a colleague on Schottenheimer’s staff.
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Aaron Whitecotton to take over East’s defense
Whitecotton, the Cowboys DL coach and one of the team’s nine known candidates for defensive coordinator, will be the defensive coordinator of the East team. He is considered one of the best defensive line coaches in the NFL and was an integral part of the team’s success at defensive tackle.
When Quinnen Williams arrived in Dallas, his pass rushing numbers vastly improved compared to his production with the New York Jets earlier in the season. Considering Whitecotton isn’t exactly a “Matt Eberflus guy,” he is a candidate to stay on staff even if the Cowboys go with a different choice at DC.
According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, Whitecotton will call the defense, though schemes in these exhibition games tend to be simplistic given the time constraints.
Why this is a unique opportunity
Two Cowboys coaches being so involved with the East-West Shrine Bowl gives the team privileged access to 2026 Draft prospects. One of the hardest things about player evaluation is getting to know how the player operates on a day-to-day basis, including how they practice. Not only on the field, but off of it.
With this, Dallas will have a full week of working with prospects they may be interested in. And of course, they could find hidden gems, which the Cowboys really need considering they won’t have a second or third round pick.
Simply put, there’s just more exposure to players the team will be considering in April. And Dallas should take advantage of it.
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This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Jan 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.