Another team has entered into the new coach sweepstakes as the Dallas Cowboys shockingly decided to part ways with Mike McCarthy. After five seasons, the Cowboys are letting McCarthy walk as the two sides could not come to an agreement on a contract extension. It is a rather unusual separation, as McCarthy was clearly too good to be fired but clearly not good enough in Dallas’ eyes to meet his contract demands.
Overall, McCarthy leaves the Cowboys after earning a 50-36 record (playoffs included), three postseason appearances, two NFC East titles, and one lone Wild Card win – albeit over Tom Brady’s Buccaneers in his last game ever.
Now there is another team in the mix looking for a head coach. Over the weekend, the New England Patriots settled their vacancy at their top spot by hiring Mike Vrabel to coach the team he once won three Super Bowls for as a player. As it stands, there are now six teams seeking their next head coach:
- Dallas Cowboys
- Chicago Bears
- New York Jets
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Las Vegas Raiders
- New Orleans Saints
One has to assume, despite the turmoil and challenges of working with owner Jerry Jones, that being the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys easily becomes the most glamorous job available to any potential coaching candidates…. a list which now includes Mike McCarthy.
For all the criticism McCarthy gets, especially the last few years with Dallas, he is easily going to be near the top of all candidates this cycle. He has an all-time win/loss record of 185-123-2 with 11 playoff wins, including Super Bowl XLV.
From a Seahawks angle, McCarthy getting into the mix might complicate the coaching prospects of former Seattle coach Pete Carroll, who did interview with the Chicago Bears and will do so with the Las Vegas Raiders. Now there is another Super Bowl winning head coach who brings stability and success, and teams might (unfairly) make a decision based on the age of the two men.
