McCarthy to return for 5th season as Cowboys coach

Mike McCarthy will be back as the Dallas Cowboys' head coach in 2024, team owner Jerry Jones announced Tuesday.

"I believe this team is very close and capable of achieving our ultimate goals, and the best step forward for us will be with Mike McCarthy as our head coach," Jones said in a statement, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The Cowboys are keeping McCarthy despite a one-and-done playoff run in which Dallas suffered a 48-32 thrashing at the hands of the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round.

Jones initially declined to comment on the head coach's fate following the defeat, though he said he was "floored" by the loss, which invited speculation over McCarthy's future.

However, Jones defended McCarthy on Tuesday, stating that the loss is shared by the entire organization and that he "100%" backs the 60-year-old coach.

"Our loss on Sunday is shared by everyone here, not just coach McCarthy. Our players. Our coaches. Our front office. Myself. There is accountability for our results. I am accountable for our results," Jones said. "The lens we use to view and evaluate coach McCarthy is holistic. While we're all disappointed with the result on Sunday and with our playoff record, I am 100% supportive of him as our head coach and (his) ability to reach our goals."

The Cowboys marched to a 12-5 record for the third straight season under McCarthy in 2023. However, the regular-season success has done little to change the franchise's postseason troubles. McCarthy has won just one playoff game since becoming the team's head coach. The Cowboys are still searching for their first conference championship game appearance since 1995, which was also the last time they won a Super Bowl.

"Mike has the highest regular-season winning percentage of any head coach in Cowboys history, and we will dedicate ourselves, in partnership with him, to translating that into reaching our postseason goals," Jones said.

Multiple Cowboys also went to bat for McCarthy following the wild-card letdown. Quarterback Dak Prescott, who threw two interceptions, said postgame that McCarthy has been "amazing" and helped fuel his career season. Prescott finished the campaign with a league-leading 36 touchdowns and a career-high 105.9 passer rating.

The 2024 season is the final year on McCarthy's contract, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

McCarthy has put up a 42-25 record with the Cowboys. He previously coached the Packers for 13 seasons, winning one Super Bowl during his time there.

Dallas is also expected to retain defensive coordinator Dan Quinn if he's not hired as a head coach elsewhere during the offseason, according to ESPN's Ed Werder. The Cowboys defensive play-caller is reportedly scheduled to interview for five head-coaching vacancies.