MIKE McCarthy woke up unemployed Wednesday after a long contract saga with the Dallas Cowboys.
McCarthy’s deal ended Tuesday – meaning he is now a free agent and looking for work.
Mike McCarthy is officially out of a job in Dallas[/caption]
McCarthy’s contract expired Tuesday, meaning he is now a free agent[/caption]
Extensive talks were held last week between Jerry Jones and McCarthy.
But it became clear at the weekend that there would not be a new contract for McCarthy.
He took over in Dallas in 2020 and oversaw three 12-5 seasons.
And McCarthy’s contract ended on January 14.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the major sticking point over a new deal was the length of the contract.
Dallas fell to 3-7 this season and Jones faced calls to make a coaching change there and then.
But Jones stuck by McCarthy until the end of the season and claimed a new deal for 2025 was not out of the question.
The Cowboys had a mini-revival with four wins in five games.
The finished 7-10 for the year and third in the NFC East.
And Dallas is now looking for a new coach after talks with McCarthy broke down.
Franchise icons Deion Sanders and Jason Witten have been linked with the job.
And so has former quarterback and offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.
Ex-Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman was surprised by the developments with McCarthy.
Dallas missed out on a window to negotiate with the likes of Aaron Glen from the Detroit Lions and Steve Spagnuolo from the Kansas City Chiefs.
“I thought Mike McCarthy would be the head coach,” Aikman said on ESPN’s Monday Night Football.
‘Match made in heaven’
By Sunni Upal, Deputy U.S. Sports Editor
Deion Sanders becoming head coach of the Dallas Cowboys is a match made in heaven.
It’s been 30 years now since the Cowboys last won a Super Bowl and something has to change.
This is “America’s Team,” but it has become a laughing stock and needs someone to restore them to their past glory.
That candidate who takes over from Mike McCarthy at head coach must have some magic and inspiration.
Step forward, Deion Sanders.
Sanders, 57, is one of the best players to have ever stepped on the field and was on Dallas’ team the last time they won a Super Bowl.
He is quite literally ‘Prime Time’ and that spark is exactly what the Cowboys need.
As for Deion, now is the perfect time for him to move on as well.
He has taken the Buffaloes to new heights both in terms of results and popularity.
His son, Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders, is also in his senior year in college.
Sanders could probably land a head coaching job on a legitimate national championship contender if he wants to stay in college.
But a chance to coach the Dallas Cowboys may not come calling again.
“So this is a bit of a surprise for me today that he’s not going to be.
“What went into the conversations I’m not exactly sure, but it suggests that there’s not a real plan.”
Aikman added, “The fact they haven’t had the opportunity to interview with Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn or some others.
“I do think the Cowboys are a high-profile team but most people who want to do it on their terms.
“I love the Cowboys, I played there for 12 years and wish them well.
“To say that it’s a coveted job, I’m not sure I would necessarily agree with that.”
