Black Monday...And Away We Go.

[Corbin]

Source: Mike McCarthy won't return as Cowboys' coach​

• 
  
  Todd Archer, ESPN Staff WriterJan 13, 2025, 12:12 PM ET

FRISCO, Texas -- Mike McCarthy will not return as the Dallas Cowboys' head coach, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday.
McCarthy's contract with the Cowboys expired last Wednesday but the team held an exclusive negotiating window with the coach until Tuesday at midnight. However, the sides have not had any negotiations regarding a new deal, sources told Schefter on Monday.
The Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints are expected to be interested in speaking with him regarding their vacancies, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Last week, the Bears had an official request for permission to speak with McCarthy denied by the Cowboys.
Coming off a disappointing 7-10 finish in 2024, Jerry Jones will look to make the ninth head coaching hire of his tenure as owner and general manager.

EDITOR'S PICKS​

• 
  

  Tracking NFL coaching changes: Mike McCarthy not back in Dallas, six openings remain
  16mESPN staff​

• 
  

  When will Jerry Jones extend Micah Parsons' Cowboys contract?
  3dTodd Archer​

McCarthy had a 49-35 record in his five seasons as coach, but he won just one playoff game while suffering devastating home losses in the wild-card round to the San Francisco 49ers (2021) and Green Bay Packers (2023).
Jones had McCarthy and his entire coaching staff work on the last years of their deal after posting three straight 12-5 marks and leading the team to the playoffs in three straight seasons for the first time since the 1990s.
The Cowboys opened this season with a 3-2 record but suffered five straight defeats and saw key players including quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring), right guard Zack Martin (ankle), defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (foot), cornerback Trevon Diggs (knee) and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) end the year on injured reserve.
After winning 16 straight regular-season games at AT&T Stadium from 2021 to 2023, the Cowboys finished 2-7 at home in 2024 and became the first team in NFL history to trail by at least 20 points in six straight home games, including the 2023 playoff loss to the Packers.
Before injuries took a complete toll on the season, Jones backed McCarthy and said he did not believe in-season coaching changes make a difference. The only in-season change Jones made came in 2010 when Jason Garrett took over for Wade Phillips after a 1-7 start to the season.
At 3-7, the Cowboys won four of their next five games with Cooper Rush at quarterback after Prescott had surgery to repair an avulsion of his right hamstring suffered on Nov. 3. The Cowboys' playoff chances officially ended in Week 16.
McCarthy was hired as Garrett's replacement in 2020 with a clear mandate: deliver postseason success. From 2006-18 with the Green Bay Packers, McCarthy made the playoffs nine times with four NFC Championship Game appearances and a win in Super Bowl XLV at AT&T Stadium in the 2010 season.
Twice McCarthy eliminated the Cowboys in the divisional round of the playoffs (2014, 2016). But he was unable to match the playoff success in Dallas.
The biggest disappointment, however, was a 48-32 loss to the Packers in the wild-card round in 2023. Green Bay had a 27-0 lead with less than two minutes to play in the first half and the Cowboys never threatened.
The Cowboys never found their footing in 2024.
McCarthy entered this season in the final year of his contract, despite becoming the first Cowboys coach to deliver three straight playoff appearances since Jimmy Johnson (1991-93). Johnson, however, won two Super Bowls.
Despite Jones' all-in proclamation at the start of the offseason, the Cowboys saw key contributors of those three playoff seasons -- left tackle Tyron Smith, running back Tony Pollard, center Tyler Biadasz and defensive end Dorance Armstrong -- leave in free agency, while doing little to replace them.
The reunion with running back Ezekiel Elliott did not pay off, however, Rico Dowdle ended up with more than 1,000 yards rushing.
Lamb missed training camp before signing a four-year, $136 million contract that made him the second highest paid wide receiver in the game. Prescott agreed to a four-year, $240 million contract extension hours before the season opener at Cleveland.
Three of the Cowboys' top defenders -- pass rusher Micah Parsons (ankle), Lawrence and cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) -- also missed time with injuries, which impacted new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer greatly. The Cowboys lost their first four home games of the season by a total of 94 points.
After finishing first in the NFL in points per game in 2023, McCarthy's first as the playcaller, they were 20th in points per game in 2024.
While there was improvement defensively as the year went on, the Cowboys allowed 27.5 points per game, 31st in the NFL, and were 28th in yards.
Jones will now be on the lookout for the ninth head coach of his tenure, dating back to 1989. Since Johnson, he has hired the hot offensive coordinator (Chan Gailey, 1998-99), elevated from within (Garrett, 2010-19 and Dave Campo 2000-02), hired a top defensive coordinator (Wade Phillips, 2007-10) and hired Super Bowl winners (McCarthy and Bill Parcells, 2003-06).
None have been the answer to end the Cowboys' Super Bowl drought.
Does Jones, who turned 82 in October, look for an NFL veteran, a college head coach or an up-and-coming coordinator on either side of the ball to finally get the Cowboys over the hump?
All options would appear to be on the table.

 

[OldSchool]

Dallas is such a dumpster fire i love it.

 

[den-the-coach]

Dallas is such a dumpster fire i love it.

Somewhat difficult to understand IMHO. I believe that other teams requesting to interview McCarty made Jerry think that maybe had something instead of thinking they did that just so he would keep McCarthy.

 

[RamFan503]

Dude! NCU? Dafuq? It is UNC, University of North Carolina, the finest public University in the country, dare i say world?!

Singed,
BRF
Proud Class of 85 Alum
Go Heels!!!

I gotta figure though you aren’t happy with that asshat coaching at your Alma mater.

 

[dieterbrock]

I wonder if Kellen Moore gets a look at HC in Dallas

 

[Merlin]

McCarthy out in Dallas

Pure comedy.

 

[Merlin]

I have a feeling that Johnson will end up in Vegas. Opened the door there for quips have at it.

 

[Merlin]

It's crazy that the Cowboys refused the Bears request to interview him, then turn around and fire him some days later. A real shitty look for Jerruh. There is no universe where he, as the owner and GM, shouldn't have his fucking mind made up by the time Black Monday hits. For the sake of his own team and his coaches, make a decision.

And there's a lot of irony here too. I recall that younger Jerruh rolling into the Cowboys with the battle axe, clearing out the dead wood and hiring the most qualified coaching candidate that offseason in JJ. And now years later there he is, operating with the same dead wood, but this time it's him and his son who are the dead wood.

He needs a GM to help him and his son handle shit. And his coach needs to be able to build a strong and positive culture, which his team lacks and has lacked since JJ left. I'd go after the Notre Dame head coach. Fat contract offer on the table, along with agreement that he would have primary input on the GM search, and no expenses spared for his coaching staff. But Jerruh won't do that type of thing because he likes playing GM himself.

 

[dieterbrock]

It's crazy that the Cowboys refused the Bears request to interview him, then turn around and fire him some days later.

Well, his contract had expired so he wasn’t fired. Who knows, McCarthy may have been asking for a big raise, more control etc. He would have to agree to a contract. Maybe he didn’t and preferred to be a FA

 

[Corbin]

It's crazy that the Cowboys refused the Bears request to interview him, then turn around and fire him some days later. A real shitty look for Jerruh. There is no universe where he, as the owner and GM, shouldn't have his fucking mind made up by the time Black Monday hits. For the sake of his own team and his coaches, make a decision.

And there's a lot of irony here too. I recall that younger Jerruh rolling into the Cowboys with the battle axe, clearing out the dead wood and hiring the most qualified coaching candidate that offseason in JJ. And now years later there he is, operating with the same dead wood, but this time it's him and his son who are the dead wood.

He needs a GM to help him and his son handle shit. And his coach needs to be able to build a strong and positive culture, which his team lacks and has lacked since JJ left. I'd go after the Notre Dame head coach. Fat contract offer on the table, along with agreement that he would have primary input on the GM search, and no expenses spared for his coaching staff. But Jerruh won't do that type of thing because he likes playing GM himself.

You shut it sir! He needs to keep running EXACTLY how he’s been doing it all these years!

I live in Cowboy country, when they are doing good these tards are intolerable here!

 

[Merlin]

You shut it sir! He needs to keep running EXACTLY how he’s been doing it all these years!

I live in Cowboy country, when they are doing good these tards are intolerable here!

You are of course correct. Fortunately Jerruh thinks he knows better than fans so wouldn't dream of taking suggestions from them, let alone fans of another team lol.

It's just amazing to see what a fucking dumbass he's become and it's all driven by ego. Landry must be smiling in his grave.

 

[Corbin]

I think this would be entertaining asf!
Neon Deion to the Cowboys!


View: https://youtu.be/ilIzc4H1Lyc?si=Hzvjmwx7802vYGXp

 

[Corbin]

You are of course correct. Fortunately Jerruh thinks he knows better than fans so wouldn't dream of taking suggestions from them, let alone fans of another team lol.

It's just amazing to see what a fucking dumbass he's become and it's all driven by ego. Landry must be smiling in his grave.

100 fucking %!

I mean when your a billionaire and had decades of patting your own back I would be shocked for him to go a different direction.

Why I’m impressed with The Raiders Bowl cut owner to know he doesn’t know shit and is giving Brady total operational control as far as football operations.

 

[Merlin]

Why I’m impressed with The Raiders Bowl cut owner to know he doesn’t know shit and is giving Brady total operational control as far as football operations.

If the Raiders were to somehow get that hire right that division would be unbelievable. Reid, Harbaugh, Asshole Face... I mean damn.

 

[Corbin]

If the Raiders were to somehow get that hire right that division would be unbelievable. Reid, Harbaugh, Asshole Face... I mean damn.

Right? That's what they need there! Need a gauntlet for the Chiefs unlike the dumpster fire it's been!

It's like the Patriots having a shitty AFC East to come out of for 20 years.

 

[OldSchool]

I wonder if Kellen Moore gets a look at HC in Dallas

I think he's the top guy unless Jerry wants to pay the buyout for Bellicheat at UNC.

 

[Corbin]

I think he's the top guy unless Jerry wants to pay the buyout for Bellicheat at UNC.

Dude no way Bellicheat would work well with Jones! I'd love to see that blow up!

 

[Merlin]

This shit is funny as hell. Jerruh (at 6:00 on the vid) talking circles about incentives and shit about a week ago while holding his coach in limbo. Then Pat and the boys having a good laugh.

Also early in this one is Jerruh showing his acting chops, which, I'd say maybe he should consider a career change.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YPhQITw51w

 

[majrleaged]

View: https://x.com/MySportsUpdate/status/1878467694158041417

Like i said. Mayo was dead on arrival. Just a place holder

 

[Neil039]

Seems quite a few owners are just as bad as the one that moved the Rams from LA to St. Louis and would usually hire the worst HCs available.
So glad those days are go

View: https://x.com/profootballtalk/status/1878514769134600688?s=61&t=lgp1gRmUcyNSF5v7CIHwMg

As a fan of Colorado I'm not interested in Deion. Search Deion Jr and ball boy. It will show you the kind of "young men" Sanders is influencing.