Cowboys hire McCarthy as head coach
Less than 24 hours after they parted ways with longtime head coach Jason Garrett, the Dallas Cowboys hired Mike McCarthy for the role, McCarthy confirmed to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero on Monday.
McCarthy received a five-year contract from the Cowboys, a source told ESPN's Todd Archer.
The addition of McCarthy was first reported by Jay Glazer of FOX Sports. An official announcement and press conference is expected later in the week, Glazer added.
McCarthy spent 13 years as head coach of the Green Bay Packers. From 2006-18, he amassed a 125-77-2 record and won Super Bowl XLV in 2010. He was fired after Week 13 last season with the Packers sitting at 4-7-1.
The 56-year-old spent the 2019 campaign out of football while researching ways to update his coaching philosophy.
This offseason, McCarthy interviewed for head coaching openings with the Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns and was also thought to be a candidate for the New York Giants. He then met with the Cowboys in an interview process that reportedly extended into a second day.
New Cowboys’ HC Mike McCarthy stayed over Jerry Jones’ house on Saturday night, per source. “Once you stay at Jerrry’s house, he doesn’t lose his guy,” said source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 6, 2020
McCarthy will likely move quickly on staffing. While Kellen Moore is a candidate to remain the Cowboys' offensive coordinator in 2020, current New Orleans Saints linebackers coach Mike Nolan is expected to become McCarthy's defensive coordinator, Pelissero and Ian Rapoport report.
McCarthy has been hailed for his work with Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Though their relationship reportedly fizzled in the latter years together, the two led Green Bay to eight consecutive playoff appearances from 2009-16.
In Dallas, McCarthy will get to work with an offense fronted by star quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Despite high expectations for 2019, the Cowboys finished 8-8 and outside of the playoffs, which led to Garrett's departure. In nine-plus seasons on the Dallas sideline, Garrett put together an 85-67 record but went 2-3 in the playoffs and never advanced past the divisional round.
Overall, Dallas hasn't reached the conference championship game since 1995.
In their search for a new bench boss, the Cowboys reportedly prioritized candidates with NFL head coaching experience and a history of success at the pro level.
McCarthy is just the ninth head coach in Cowboys franchise history.