Why Mike McCarthy Must Not Be Back Next Year

[Bobhaze]

Let me say these two points first:

1. Mike McCarthy is a good football coach. (The best we’ve had since Parcells)
2. Mike McCarthy’s time in Dallas needs to end.

Somehow for apparently stingy financial reasons Jerry decided to bring Big Mac back on the final year of his contract despite Mac being the HC of the worst playoff loss in Cowboys history last January. Most HCs never recover from that kind of mental mountain to climb.

And just to make it worse for all involved, McCarthy and his whole staff are all on final years of their contracts, leaving the staff twisting in the wind in front of the players. And on top of that JJ decides to let the off-season be an exercise in how NOT to do things for a new season, setting up the exact predictable disaster we’ve witnessed in 2024.

So after two wins against less than stellar opponents, the talk is now drifting to the idea of keeping Big Mac? Here are the reasons (in no particular order) why that’s a very bad idea:

• McCarthy has had 5 full seasons to do something in the playoffs and has one wild card win to show for it. That isn’t going to get better next year. Year 6 will have no magic. Most modern era coaches who have deep playoff runs do it in the first 3-5 years, not after.
• Keeping Big Mac keeps a bad culture intact. This culture needs a reset. Despite being a good coach overall, his teams are penalty machines and never seem to have the discipline to pay attention to details. We need a coach with some kahones that can impact this culture despite the Jones illness that has crippled this team.
• McCarthy has an outdated offense. Yeah I know this year’s offense was almost weaponless. But Mac’s “west coast” style offense is a throwback to the past as opposed to what we see from the better teams. This team needs a new offensive facelift.
• Keeping McCarthy sends the wrong message. I know there’s no real accountability in this organization as long as Jerry and Giggles skate for their sins, but winking at the HC who has presided over a nearly year long home winless streak and the most embarrassing playoff loss in team history must be cleansed not renewed.

In closing, I feel bad for Big Mac. It’s extremely hard to function like even a semi-normal head coach with this ego-crazed owner. But if we’re stuck with Jerry, we cannot also be stuck with McCarthy. It will make it worse not better.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

Agree but he will be back...........bet your last $ on it.

 

[Bobhaze]

Agree but he will be back...........bet your last $ on it.

You could be right Pap. Jerry hates to have to hire a HC. He risks hiring someone who doesn’t like the way he plays with his toys. At this point anyone believing Jerry wants win more than anything is just not paying attention.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

You could be right Pap. Jerry hates to have to hire a HC. He risks hiring someone who doesn’t like the way he plays with his toys. At this point anyone believing Jerry wants win more than anything is just not paying attention.

He's on his final race and in no mood to make waves as the limelight is just his whole world no matter if the news is good or bad for the team.
MM is the typical JJ YES man and why bother getting a new one at this point?
Cowboys will win some more games down the stretch and Jerry will use the injury bug as the excuse factor and Bingo 2025 we are SB again........................with MM and the rest of the clown show returning.

 

[big dog cowboy]

It's impossible to feel sorry for McCarthy. He knew what he was getting into when he came to the Cowboys.

There were no surprise revelations after taking this job. He walked in with eyes wide open.

No he shouldn't be back. He should have been fired after GB. Jerry decided on running it back this year. That blew up in his face.

I have a question. What is McCarthy's biggest accomplishment in 5 years? I can't think of one.

 

[Tabascocat]

The team needs an entire new coaching staff. Problem #1(and #2) will remain but change is needed. With that said, a two-year extension for MM wouldn’t upset me too much. He can ride off into the sunset with Dak after 2026. Dallas needs to build a stout defense over these next two drafts to make way for a new HC and QB(hopefully Manning) for the 2027 season.

Whichever HC Jerry hires after this season, won’t make any difference. So, just concentrate on building the trenches for now.

 

[RoboQB]

I have a question. What is McCarthy's biggest accomplishment in 5 years? I can't think of one.

He's 7-3 with a backup QB that looks like he should be picking up his kids from school in a soccer mom van
5 days a week.
The fact that Big Mike can function at all around the circus that is Jerry's Cowboys should not be understated.
I'm not saying to keep him. Heck, I wonder if he even wants to come back.

 

[Majic]

Let me say these two points first:

1. Mike McCarthy is a good football coach. (The best we’ve had since Parcells)
2. Mike McCarthy’s time in Dallas needs to end.

Somehow for apparently stingy financial reasons Jerry decided to bring Big Mac back on the final year of his contract despite Mac being the HC of the worst playoff loss in Cowboys history last January. Most HCs never recover from that kind of mental mountain to climb.

And just to make it worse for all involved, McCarthy and his whole staff are all on final years of their contracts, leaving the staff twisting in the wind in front of the players. And on top of that JJ decides to let the off-season be an exercise in how NOT to do things for a new season, setting up the exact predictable disaster we’ve witnessed in 2024.

So after two wins against less than stellar opponents, the talk is now drifting to the idea of keeping Big Mac? Here are the reasons (in no particular order) why that’s a very bad idea:

• McCarthy has had 5 full seasons to do something in the playoffs and has one wild card win to show for it. That isn’t going to get better next year. Year 6 will have no magic. Most modern era coaches who have deep playoff runs do it in the first 3-5 years, not after.
• Keeping Big Mac keeps a bad culture intact. This culture needs a reset. Despite being a good coach overall, his teams are penalty machines and never seem to have the discipline to pay attention to details. We need a coach with some kahones that can impact this culture despite the Jones illness that has crippled this team.
• McCarthy has an outdated offense. Yeah I know this year’s offense was almost weaponless. But Mac’s “west coast” style offense is a throwback to the past as opposed to what we see from the better teams. This team needs a new offensive facelift.
• Keeping McCarthy sends the wrong message. I know there’s no real accountability in this organization as long as Jerry and Giggles skate for their sins, but winking at the HC who has presided over a nearly year long home winless streak and the most embarrassing playoff loss in team history must be cleansed not renewed.

In closing, I feel bad for Big Mac. It’s extremely hard to function like even a semi-normal head coach with this ego-crazed owner. But if we’re stuck with Jerry, we cannot also be stuck with McCarthy. It will make it worse not better.

Agreed on this. I think another main reason is that it needs someone to come in with a fresh pair of eyes to evaluate the roster. Whether the Jones family will allow this or even listen to recommendations I very much doubt. This roster is not built to win a SB. It has a few pieces and that's about it.

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

It's impossible to feel sorry for McCarthy. He knew what he was getting into when he came to the Cowboys.

There were no surprise revelations after taking this job. He walked in with eyes wide open.

No he shouldn't be back. He should have been fired after GB. Jerry decided on running it back this year. That blew up in his face.

I have a question. What is McCarthy's biggest accomplishment in 5 years? I can't think of one.

His biggest contribution is fielding a team with a chance after the starting QB is hurt or lost for the season. In the past (Garrett)...when Romo went down....forget winning....forget scoring....we struggled to get 1st downs. It is unconscionable that Jason Garrett EVER won Head Coach of the Year. Outside of JJ fall out with Jimmy Johnson....staying in bed with Garrett for 10+ years is the worst decision Jerry Jones has ever made.

 

[RonWashington]

It all depends for Jerry how 5-7 finishes up . I think the magic mark for Jerry is 8 wins in 24 . Jerry will convince himself 8-9 is enough to offer another contract based on injuries preventing better this year ,

Based on schedule I would say MM desperately needs the MNF game against Cincy to get to that 8 mark .

 

[noshame]

We were the only team offering this guy a job after that horrible display in GB.
I'm convinced Jerry has a plan, and Mike's not in it.

 

[cristglo]

After the GB loss I truly felt they should have fired him to leave him on a one-year deal was Dead Man Walking
Then came the off-season FA came and went which left us puzzled. Already leaving the QB future in the air and the CeeDee hold up.
RB by committee Really LOL
I feel bad for MM on the one hand but on the other its like you knew you wasn't getting any help you knew you expected to win an SB or else.
Dak came in this year IMO out of shape and just not into the season maybe it was the baby and marriage distracted him I don't know but he was HORRIBLE this year.
Was Dak's play what was making MM's offense look so antiquated?
Then the injuries have never seen a year of injuries like this at one time.

Getting back to Bob I think it's gone too far for a Roll it back again. This team needs a culture change Needs some fresh blood. There is No accountability for this team No toughness a bunch of Divas
This team is Bad we won against a struggling Wash and a tanking NY and it seems there are a few that are Talking Playoffs. LMAO
The only way this is going to work for Any Coach is for Jerry to open up his checkbook and put his money where his mouth is.

 

[fivetwos]

You could be right Pap. Jerry hates to have to hire a HC. He risks hiring someone who doesn’t like the way he plays with his toys. At this point anyone believing Jerry wants win more than anything is just not paying attention.

As I’ve said elsewhere, there may not be many options, especially if Moore has choices.

Being honest and real, I believe it’s gotten to where the prestige of being the HC of the Dallas Cowboys doesn’t outweigh the difficulty of the work environment. No need to list them here, but the negatives far outweigh the positives IMO.

It’ll be someone who no one else would have even interviewed, much less hired…which makes McCarthy returning at least a small possibility. He is the only one who would take a short contract at lower end pay.

 

[Hadenough]

Even though I don't want McCarthy back I don't think it's all his fault. Locker room chemistry isn't something the coach can fully control. In a great locker room players hold themselves accountable and the leaders snuff out any finger pointing. The problem is the highest over paid player in the locker room doesn't think it's his fault.
And when he does admit to mistakes he uses the word WE when he should be saying I. Players hate that. People don't want to believe it but you can see how the team has become more of a team under Rush.

 

[CTcowboy203]

I’m fine with moving on from McCarthy but I’ll ask- if the team hypothetically wins 3 of the next 5 or 4 of the next 5 (again hypothetically not saying they will)…how can you say he’s part of the culture problem when the team knows he’s a lame duck, their seasons over and they are still playing hard for him?

I think you’re confusing the head of the snake with McCarthy, the culture is set by ownership- that’s not changing with a different coach. Again, move on from Mike- no issues but I don’t think he’s part of a “culture problem here” if anything under them the franchise has been more stable in terms of regular season winning than it has in 30 years

 

[tunahelper]

Let me say these two points first:

1. Mike McCarthy is a good football coach. (The best we’ve had since Parcells)
2. Mike McCarthy’s time in Dallas needs to end.

Somehow for apparently stingy financial reasons Jerry decided to bring Big Mac back on the final year of his contract despite Mac being the HC of the worst playoff loss in Cowboys history last January. Most HCs never recover from that kind of mental mountain to climb.

And just to make it worse for all involved, McCarthy and his whole staff are all on final years of their contracts, leaving the staff twisting in the wind in front of the players. And on top of that JJ decides to let the off-season be an exercise in how NOT to do things for a new season, setting up the exact predictable disaster we’ve witnessed in 2024.

So after two wins against less than stellar opponents, the talk is now drifting to the idea of keeping Big Mac? Here are the reasons (in no particular order) why that’s a very bad idea:

• McCarthy has had 5 full seasons to do something in the playoffs and has one wild card win to show for it. That isn’t going to get better next year. Year 6 will have no magic. Most modern era coaches who have deep playoff runs do it in the first 3-5 years, not after.
• Keeping Big Mac keeps a bad culture intact. This culture needs a reset. Despite being a good coach overall, his teams are penalty machines and never seem to have the discipline to pay attention to details. We need a coach with some kahones that can impact this culture despite the Jones illness that has crippled this team.
• McCarthy has an outdated offense. Yeah I know this year’s offense was almost weaponless. But Mac’s “west coast” style offense is a throwback to the past as opposed to what we see from the better teams. This team needs a new offensive facelift.
• Keeping McCarthy sends the wrong message. I know there’s no real accountability in this organization as long as Jerry and Giggles skate for their sins, but winking at the HC who has presided over a nearly year long home winless streak and the most embarrassing playoff loss in team history must be cleansed not renewed.

In closing, I feel bad for Big Mac. It’s extremely hard to function like even a semi-normal head coach with this ego-crazed owner. But if we’re stuck with Jerry, we cannot also be stuck with McCarthy. It will make it worse not better.

Your points are valid, except the closing portion.

I understand your sentiment, however I do not feel sorry for MM. Anyone taking the HC job in Dallas knows Jerry will be calling the shots. Until someone can wrestle control of the roster from JJ it will be rinse and repeat for coaching staffs.

 

[nate dizzle]

Let me say these two points first:

1. Mike McCarthy is a good football coach. (The best we’ve had since Parcells)
2. Mike McCarthy’s time in Dallas needs to end.

Somehow for apparently stingy financial reasons Jerry decided to bring Big Mac back on the final year of his contract despite Mac being the HC of the worst playoff loss in Cowboys history last January. Most HCs never recover from that kind of mental mountain to climb.

And just to make it worse for all involved, McCarthy and his whole staff are all on final years of their contracts, leaving the staff twisting in the wind in front of the players. And on top of that JJ decides to let the off-season be an exercise in how NOT to do things for a new season, setting up the exact predictable disaster we’ve witnessed in 2024.

So after two wins against less than stellar opponents, the talk is now drifting to the idea of keeping Big Mac? Here are the reasons (in no particular order) why that’s a very bad idea:

• McCarthy has had 5 full seasons to do something in the playoffs and has one wild card win to show for it. That isn’t going to get better next year. Year 6 will have no magic. Most modern era coaches who have deep playoff runs do it in the first 3-5 years, not after.
• Keeping Big Mac keeps a bad culture intact. This culture needs a reset. Despite being a good coach overall, his teams are penalty machines and never seem to have the discipline to pay attention to details. We need a coach with some kahones that can impact this culture despite the Jones illness that has crippled this team.
• McCarthy has an outdated offense. Yeah I know this year’s offense was almost weaponless. But Mac’s “west coast” style offense is a throwback to the past as opposed to what we see from the better teams. This team needs a new offensive facelift.
• Keeping McCarthy sends the wrong message. I know there’s no real accountability in this organization as long as Jerry and Giggles skate for their sins, but winking at the HC who has presided over a nearly year long home winless streak and the most embarrassing playoff loss in team history must be cleansed not renewed.

In closing, I feel bad for Big Mac. It’s extremely hard to function like even a semi-normal head coach with this ego-crazed owner. But if we’re stuck with Jerry, we cannot also be stuck with McCarthy. It will make it worse not better.

He's not coming back. Like him or hate him, Jerry made an example out of Big Mike for making him cry.

Like you said, he made him a lame duck coach with a lame duck staff. Then he completely sabotaged what he already knew was Mike's last season by doing nothing in free agency besides signing a lame-legged-arm-brain QB that should have been made to play out the last year of his deal.

Most owners/managers punish a poor history of playoff performance by getting rid of the coach. This group punishes them by making them stay and setting them up to fail even harder.

Mike put his house up for sale for a reason. He gone.

 

[JW82]

Agreed. Mike tried, but Jerry is now 0-6 with coaches since Jimmy's team won 3 rings. Having to win in spite of an owner so far has been impossible. Thats why just an x's and o's coach isn't enough in Dallas. A coach has to have a big enough personality to compete with Jerry's man-child insecurity. Not sure they exist.

 

[acr731]

In closing, I feel bad for Big Mac. It’s extremely hard to function like even a semi-normal head coach with this ego-crazed owner. But if we’re stuck with Jerry, we cannot also be stuck with McCarthy. It will make it worse not better.

I don't. Like has already been mentioned in this thread, he knew what he was walking into. It is well known across the league that if you agree to come to Dallas as the "HC", you agree to do things Jerry's way. I put HC in quotes because I believe the HC in Dallas is just a title. Who is the one front and center each week making announcements on injuries and providing other information regarding the roster? It isn't MM, it's Jerry, the real "HC" of the team.

I think MM will return. Jerry is comfortable with him, mainly because MM doesn't appear to be butting heads with Jerry and allows him to do what he does. MM is every bit the 'yes man' Jerry wants for the position, same as Garrett was.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

The ending of the season will tell.

If somehow MM wins in Philly, even if they don't make the playoffs, like some here have said, Jerry will claim injuries derailed a great team, and I can hear Jerry now - "No coach could have done better than Mike with all the players we had hurt".