Another familiar person could become a coaching target for the Saints. The New Orleans Saints’ coaching hunt continues. New Orleans has already conducted or requested interviews with Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, former Titans coach Mike Vrabel, and their own interim coach Darren Rizzi.
Other teams seeking for a head coach include the Bears, Raiders, Jaguars, and Jets. The Patriots appear to have filled their position with the expected hire of Vrabel, as reported over the weekend. New Orleans established a vacancy by firing Dennis Allen after a 2-7 start to the season. Along with the aforementioned names, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy are also attracting attention throughout the league. Another good contender appears to have made himself entirely available for interviews.
McCarthy, 61, has been the Dallas Cowboys’ head coach since 2020. Over the last five seasons, he has a 49-35 record, a.583 winning percentage, and three postseason appearances. However, it appears that McCarthy will be a coaching free agent. McCarthy’s contract with the Cowboys officially expires on Tuesday, January 14. Despite efforts by both sides to strike a new agreement, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network was among the first to announce on Monday that McCarthy will not return as Dallas coach.
This adds the Cowboys to the list of teams seeking for a new coach. It also makes a highly accomplished coach available for other teams to seek.
McCarthy’s Background
McCarthy was born and reared in Pittsburgh and attended Salem College before moving on to Baker University in Kansas. In 1989, he joined the Pitt Panthers as a graduate assistant, where he stayed for three years before becoming the Panthers’ wide receiver coach in 1992.
McCarthy was hired the next year as the Kansas City Chiefs’ quality control coach. He stayed with the Chiefs until 1998, eventually advancing to the position of quarterback coach during his final four years. McCarthy was hired by the Green Bay Packers in 1999 as their quarterback coach. McCarthy joined the New Orleans Saints as offensive coordinator after only one season with the Packers. He remained with the Saints until 2004, leading one of the NFL’s most dynamic offenses. McCarthy left New Orleans to become the 49ers’ offensive coordinator in 2005.
McCarthy was hired as head coach for the first time in 2006. He was hired by the Green Bay Packers, where he stayed until 2018. McCarthy has a 125-77-2 record with the Packers over 13 seasons, good for a.618 winning percentage. McCarthy’s Packers won Super Bowl XLV following the 2010–2011 season. His Green Bay Packers had nine winning seasons and made the playoffs nine times. McCarthy’s teams had a.608 record across 18 seasons as head coach of the Packers and Cowboys, with 12 winning seasons and 12 postseason appearances. McCarthy joining the Saints?
McCarthy was the Saints’ offensive coordinator from 2000 to 2004. Over those five years, the Saints went 42-38 under McCarthy and head coach Jim Haslett, winning their first playoff game in franchise history during the 10-6 2000 season. McCarthy helped develop explosive weapons such as quarterback Aaron Brooks, wide receiver Joe Horn, and running back Deuce McAllister, among others. His attack was ranked in the top ten in total yardage three times and consistently finished in the top half of the league in rushing and passing production. Haslett was fired following the 2005 season, when McCarthy was with the 49ers. McCarthy was interviewed for the available position in New Orleans and was considered the Saints’ top candidate.
McCarthy ultimately chose a position with Green Bay, and the Saints hired Sean Payton, another highly successful coach. Remember that Mickey Loomis was the New Orleans General Manager in 2006. It remains to be seen if the Saints will pursue Mike McCarthy. However, the New Orleans Saints are expected to be one of several clubs interviewing McCarthy, one of the NFL’s most regarded offensive brains.
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