The Dallas Cowboys are parting ways with head coach Mike McCarthy after five seasons. McCarthy, who was in the final year of his contract, was unable to lead the team to the playoffs this past season, finishing with a 7-10 record and only two home victories.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones stated that he and McCarthy had extensive discussions to evaluate the past season and the team’s future. After careful consideration, they agreed it was time to go their separate ways.
“These discussions were thorough and well-considered,” Jones said in a statement on Monday. “Before entering contract talks, it became clear that both of us would be better off moving in different directions.”
During Mike McCarthy’s tenure with the Dallas Cowboys, the team struggled in the playoffs, winning only once and losing three times.
The 61-year-old faced significant criticism after his fourth season ended in a disappointing fashion. The Cowboys were defeated by an inexperienced Green Bay Packers team in a wild-card playoff game on home turf.
Despite the loss, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones publicly supported McCarthy, stating shortly after the game, “Mike’s career has shown consistent postseason success, and we are confident that will continue.”
Before joining the Cowboys, McCarthy had a successful 12-year run as head coach of the Green Bay Packers, leading them to eight consecutive playoff appearances and winning Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2011 at AT&T Stadium, the Cowboys’ home stadium.
The Dallas Cowboys appointed Mike McCarthy as their ninth head coach in January 2020. During his time with the team, he achieved a 49-35 regular-season record, including three consecutive 12-win seasons.
Dallas now joins five other NFL teams in search of a new head coach, including the Chicago Bears, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, and Las Vegas Raiders.
Meanwhile, the New England Patriots hired Mike Vrabel, their former player and the ex-head coach of the Tennessee Titans, as their new head coach on Sunday.
