Mike McCarthy responds to criticism from Jerry Jones, future with Cowboys

Mike McCarthy has taken the brunt of criticism for the Cowboys shortcomings last season. From immediately after the heartbreaking loss that ended their season in Dallas until now, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been hesitant when committing to McCarthy.

After everything that’s transpired since leaving AT&T Stadium in January, McCarthy responded to the criticism from Jones, and commented on his future with the Cowboys.

“Number one, I think every landscape in this league is different,” started McCarthy, on The Rich Eisen Show. “I’ve been very fortunate to work at two of the premier organizations in pro football. They’re all different.

“I think clearly — in this situation, the way things are done here — there’s a bigger picture focus. I’ve always just kind of kept it about winning, and I’ve always taken a blind eye, or blind ear to those things. But that’s not the case when we work here. I think when you look at those type of comments, you have to understand the platform where they come from.

“I have an excellent relationship with Jerry Jones. We will talk on a regular basis about anything and everything. Big picture. Tight focus on what we’re doing program wise, and more importantly his biggest interest is the development of our players, especially our young players.”

McCarthy on Dan Quinn. ‘I wanted him here.’

Moreover, McCarthy commented on the idea that Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn could replace him as the team’s coach.

“So, when I look at the comments, the thing about Dan — Dan Quinn being here is very important to me, and our organization,” stated McCarthy. “The reality of it is Dan and I had visited long before he ever took a head coach interview. Long before the playoffs even started. About how happy he is here. I envy him in some ways, where as a head coach you get pulled away from the things that you advance in this league. You know, I mean, the joy that he was having coordinating.

“He’s been a tremendous asset for me — personally and professionally. Just having another individual with the experience of a head coach. So, we talked about him staying here long before he even took the interview. Now, obviously when he took the interview, this narrative kind of broke out in reflection of the relationship that Dan and I do have. He just said, ‘Hey man. If [you’re] not comfortable with this narrative, if you really feel like I need to take one of these jobs, just be honest with me.’ And we kind of laughed about it. I just said, ‘Dan, 10-12 years ago I’d have said get the hell out of here, I don’t want to deal with this.’ But the reality of it is I’m about winning, he’s about winning. The best thing for the Cowboys is for Dan Quinn to be here. Obviously, it was his decision, and his alone, but I clearly wanted him to know from the start of all that I wanted him here. It’s in the best interest of winning.

“I’ve been at this a long time, I understand how hard it is to win a Super Bowl. So, the best thing for us, the best thing for out opportunity to be at the forefront of how we want to do it here, it’s having Dan Quinn.”

As you can see, Mike McCarthy isn’t worried about the rumors or speculation. His sole focus is bringing a Super Bowl to the Dallas Cowboys.