At long last, it’s curtains in Dallas … for Mike McCarthy, at least.
The Cowboys organization announced the impending departure of its head coach on Monday, Jan. 13.
While complimentary in his assessment of McCarthy and the job he has done in Dallas, Jerry Jones has come under fire from many in the media, for his handling of the situation, notably, from NFL legends Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson.
‘Next Victim’ — Cowboys Seek Out Head Coach After Mike McCarthy’s Exit
In the latest episode of their show, “Nightcap,” the pair launched a scathing attack on Jones, his decision-making, and the disrespect that he had shown to McCarthy.
Jerry Jones out of his got damn mind 🤦🏾♂️ @ShannonSharpe @ochocinco @ShayShayMedia_ pic.twitter.com/bZCXWt8zXT
— Nightcap (@NightcapShow_) January 14, 2025
After both referred to McCarthy’s successor as the “next victim,” Johnson continued: “I just don’t like the way Jerry operates. There was an opportunity for Mike McCarthy to be able to interview for the Chicago Bears job, Jerry blocked that. … What was the point in doing that? Just to show that you’re in control?”
Whether you’re a fan of Sharpe’s outspoken nature or not, it’s very hard to argue with this particular exchange. The Cowboys have long been out of the playoff picture, which was no doubt a huge factor in the team’s decision to part ways with McCarthy, so why did it take so long?
On Jan. 8, it was reported that the Cowboys had denied the Bears permission to speak to McCarthy regarding their own head coaching vacancy.
ESPN Source: The Dallas Cowboys denied permission to the Chicago Bears to interview their head coach Mike McCarthy.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 8, 2025
In the five days between this and the Cowboys announcing their split with McCarthy, the Bears are known to have interviewed at least five other candidates. Both Detroit’s offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, and their defensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn, have been interviewed.
Arizona Cardinals OC Drew Petzing was also interviewed for the job, as well as New England Patriots legend Mike Vrabel, who has since been hired by his former team. New England’s hiring of Vrabel highlights another issue with Jones’ handling of the situation.
Not only has McCarthy been left in the dark about his future while other top candidates interview for jobs that he might be interested in, but the Cowboys are also now behind schedule.
Having already missed out on Mike Vrabel, one of the top free agents available, Dallas has yet to formally interview anyone for their own head coaching position. It would seem, though, that Jones has known who he wanted all along.
Time for Prime?
Former Cowboys All-Pro cornerback, Deion Sanders, confirmed on Monday, Jan. 13, that he had spoken to Jones and had nothing but positive things to say.
“To hear from Jerry Jones is truly delightful, and it’s intriguing,” Deion Sanders told ESPN on Monday night. “I love Jerry and believe in Jerry. After you hang up, and process it, and think about it, it’s intriguing. But I love Boulder and everything there is about our team,… pic.twitter.com/OMossS9iOx
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 14, 2025
Sanders stated: “I love Jerry and believe in Jerry. After you hang up, and process it, and think about it, it’s intriguing.”
From the outside, it seems like the perfect fit. Sanders has proven himself to be a talented young coach, with a 40-18 record at the college level. Meanwhile, it’s no secret that Jones thinks of the Cowboys as a family and the opportunity to bring back one of the franchise’s greatest names would likely prove impossible to turn down.
Not all Dallas legends appear quite so convinced about the lure of the team’s head coaching job, though. Speaking on ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown,” Hall of Fame quarterback and three-time Super Bowl champion Troy Aikman suggested that his former team might not be the draw that many believe them to be.
On Jones’ level of control within the organization and its restrictive impact on head coaches, Aikman said: “I love the Dallas Cowboys, I played there for 12 years, I wish them well. But to say that it’s a coveted job, I’m not so sure I would necessarily agree with that”.
ICYMI: Troy Aikman on the Dallas Cowboys. pic.twitter.com/wfffnyxAPN
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 14, 2025
What’s the Plan in Dallas Moving Forward?
Whoever takes over in Dallas will have to be comfortable working with Jones and his, at times, eyebrow-raising way of thinking.
That won’t be McCarthy, though, who will look to improve on his 174 NFL wins elsewhere. That number puts him at 13th all-time, and will no doubt attract some interest. Despite many teams moving toward younger coaches with new ideas in recent years, McCarthy had three 12-win seasons in Dallas, book-ended by two disappointments.
Both losing seasons, however, were massively impacted by injuries to Dak Prescott, who made just 13 appearances combined in those years. While it was enough for Dallas to look elsewhere, it would be unfair for those years to impact McCarthy too heavily moving forward.