Dallas Cowboys make decision on HC Mike McCarthy after disappointing 2024 season

The Dallas Cowboys have made their decision on head coach Mike McCarthy now that the 2024 season has ended. McCarthy will not continue as the team’s coach in the 2025 season. The two parties couldn’t agree on the length of a contract, so he will pursue other opportunities, according to Tom Pelissero.

The Cowboys finished the 2024 season with a 7-10 record. The last time the Cowboys had a losing record was in 2020 when they finished 6-10. That was McCarthy’s first year in Dallas, and he then led the Cowboys to three consecutive 12-5 seasons.

Sources: Mike McCarthy is out as #Cowboys coach.

The sides couldn’t agree on length of contract and McCarthy will pursue other opportunities. He leaves Dallas with a winning record and three playoff appearances. pic.twitter.com/MJzWvUlfjU

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 13, 2025

After the Cowboys lost to the Washington Commanders on Sunday, McCarthy said he wanted to be with the team going forward. “Absolutely. I have a lot invested here, and the Cowboys have a lot invested in me,” he said, per the Cowboys’ official website.  “And then there’s a personal side to all these decisions. So, they all point in the right direction.”

McCarthy then explained why he should continue to be the Cowboys head coach. “I don’t like to talk about myself that way, but I’ll just be clear: I’m a winner. I know how to win. I’ve won a championship. I won a championship in this building,” McCarthy said. “And that’s who I am. We’ll see where it goes.”

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McCarthy added: “I have a lot of confidence in myself as a head coach. I think like anything, body of work, statistics, I think it’s more about the program, the details of what needs to be done, how can we get better.”

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones praised McCarthy after the game on Sunday. “Mike is one of the best coaches that I think there is,” Jones said, per CBS Sports. “He was made the coach here because I thought that. He’s done absolutely nothing to diminish my opinion of him as a coach, and I’m really impressed with the way the players identify and are inside with him. That’s important because he’s had some times when each of those players individually as well as a team have not been fun times. He’s been there for them.”

McCarthy, 61, joined the Cowboys after coaching the Green Bay Packers from 2006 to 2018. During his time in Green Bay, McCarthy posted a 125-77-2 record, winning six NFC North championships, four NFC Championship appearances, and one Super Bowl title.