The Dallas Cowboys announced that head coach Mike McCarthy will retain his job despite a disappointing end to the 2023 season that saw the heavily favored Cowboys fall dramatically to the Green Bay Packers.
Owner Jerry Jones noted that McCarthy has the highest winning percentage of any coach in franchise history. The Cowboys have gone 42-25 in four seasons under McCarthy and have put together three consecutive 12-win seasons. However, success in the postseason has been fleeting, with the Cowboys going just 1-4.
“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. “There is great benefit to continuing the team’s progress under Mike’s leadership as our head coach.”
Fans have been critical of McCarthy since the Wild Card loss to the Packers. The Cowboys entered the game with the largest odds in favor of any team in the series but could not muster an offense until late in the game when the score was well out of hand, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Superfan Mark “Tattoo Mark” Shenefield expressed outrage over the decision to retain McCarthy.
“That game was the most embarrassing I’ve ever witnessed in all my 20 years of being a Cowboys superfan,” Shenefield said, per NBC 5 DFW. “It was horrible. I’d love to see Belichick come. Or even keep Quinn and put him as head coach and just hire an offense coordinator.”
Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has been one of the hottest names in the coaching carousel over the last two seasons. Quinn’s impact in Dallas is undeniable as the team’s defense has emerged as one of the most fearsome in the league. He is interviewing for numerous head coaching positions and will likely depart the Cowboys this offseason.
On Thursday, Quinn reportedly had an interview for the Seattle Seahawks head coaching job, which is considered to be one of the potential best fits. The Seahawks are built around a stout and aggressive defense and would immediately become a contender under Quinn. He was the defensive coordinator with the Seahawks for that team’s Super Bowl victory, which was led by the “Legion of Boom” defense.
Quinn has also interviewed for head coaching gigs with the Washington Commanders, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, and Los Angeles Chargers.
Jones has not indicated what the plan on defense will be should Quinn decide to move on. Quinn was widely considered a top candidate ahead of the 2023 season but elected to remain with the Cowboys. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore left that offseason to assume the same job with the Chargers. McCarthy took over play-calling duties.
With the head coach position locked in, the Cowboys’ attention will now turn to the free agent and salary cap issues facing the team next season. A total of 16 players will enter free agency this offseason, which could radically transform the personnel available in August when training camp begins.
