The Dallas Cowboys decided to part ways with head coach Mike McCarthy on mutual terms following a disappointing 7-10 season. The franchise had until Tuesday, Jan. 14, at midnight to renew the 61-year-old after his contract expired. However, the two parties took separate paths.
McCarthy went 49-35 in five seasons with the Cowboys. The Cowboys went 12-5 in McCarthy’s second, third, and fourth seasons but earned no more than one playoff win in those three appearances. This year, in 2024, the team won seven games, failing to live up to preseason expectations.
Former Bengals WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh recently shared his take on the Cowboys’ head coach position.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh Lashes Out at Dallas Cowboys Management
The Cowboys finished the 2024 NFL regular season with back-to-back losses in the final two weeks. In a recent appearance on Fox Sports’ “The Facility,” Houshmandzadeh discussed the HC candidates for the Cowboys.
“So, I heard Jordan Schultz say it’s a prestigious and coveted job, and the Cowboys is a dead-end job. I’m just gonna take you through the history,” Houshmandzadeh began.
“Who was the head coach before Mike McCarthy? Garrett. Jason Garrett. Did he get another job after that? No. Wade Phillips. Did he get another job after that? Who was the head coach before Wade Phillips? [Bill] Parcells. Did he get another job after that? The Cowboys job is a dead-end job,” he argued.
“Every coach before Mike McCarthy wanted another job. Did they get one? No, they didn’t. It’s a dead end. What happens when you hit the dead end? What do you do? Where am I going now?” Houshmandzadeh added.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh doesn’t think Deion should take the Cowboys job:
“The Dallas Cowboys Head Coaching job is a dead end.” 👀 pic.twitter.com/hZTMEfq7eR
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) January 14, 2025
The ex-Bengals star went on to talk about McCarthy’s future and criticize the Cowboys.
“We think Mike McCarthy [is] gonna get one. Let’s see. It’s a thankless job. Like when the Cowboys win, who gets all the credit? The owner. When the Cowboys lose, who takes all the blame? The coach,” he said.
Houshmandzadeh also said that coaching Dallas is a risky affair.
“Why would I wanna go to coach the Cowboys? Because if I leave, I’m probably done as a head coach of the National Football League. And if we win, Jerry Jones did a great job with the roster. Man, I don’t wanna coach the Cowboys. Why would I if I’m in Prime, why?” he concluded.
Mike McCarthy’s Tenure With the Steelers
McCarthy joined the Cowboys in 2020 after the team parted ways with Garrett. After hiring a Super Bowl-winning coach, expectations were high for a storied franchise looking to return to its former glory.
McCarthy’s debut season with Dallas was anything but smooth. The Cowboys finished the 2020 campaign with a 6-10 record, placing third in the NFC East.
In 2021, McCarthy’s Cowboys showed significant improvement, finishing with a 12-5 record and securing first place in the NFC East. However, the postseason once again proved to be a stumbling block. The Cowboys were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Wild Card Round.
The 2022 season saw Dallas replicate its regular-season success, finishing with another 12-5 record. McCarthy finally achieved his first playoff victory with the Cowboys, defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wild Card Weekend. Their postseason run ended in the Divisional Round with another loss to the 49ers.
Dallas entered the 2023 season with hopes of building on their recent playoff success. Once again, McCarthy guided the team to a 12-5 record and a division title. Yet, postseason disappointment continued to haunt the Cowboys. This time, they were eliminated in the Wild Card Round by the Green Bay Packers, McCarthy’s former team.
McCarthy’s Cowboys finished the 2024 season 7-10, with injuries and inconsistent play plaguing the roster. Dallas failed to make the playoffs for the first time since McCarthy’s inaugural season.
On Monday, Cowboys owner Jones released a statement announcing McCarthy’s exit from the head coach role.
“Throughout Mike McCarthy’s tenure here, including the last several weeks, I have been very complimentary of the job he has done,” Jones said. “That has applied to our record over that time period, our team unity and culture, Mike’s qualifications and track record of success, and on a personal level as a tremendous human being.
Thank you, Coach McCarthy#DallasCowboys | 📰 https://t.co/lZcM1wJESO pic.twitter.com/FKAHQ2MFWB
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) January 13, 2025
“I have great respect for Mike, and he has led the team through some very unique and challenging times during his tenure.
“Over the past week, Mike and I had the opportunity to conduct a joint review of all aspects of the past season, our players and staff, and also spent considerable time discussing the road forward for the team. These discussions were thorough and received an appropriate amount of time and depth to cover.
“Prior to reaching the point of contract negotiations, though, it became mutually clear that it would be better for each of us to head in a different direction. I thank Mike and wish him, his wife Jessica and their family the best. They have been a wonderful part of our community here.”
Jones also suggested that the team will now begin its search for a new head coach.
“We will commence a search process immediately to hire the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys,” Jones added.