With McCarthy out as the Cowboys head coach, owner Jerry Jones will have to find Dallas’ next leader.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is speaking after WFAA confirmed that head coach Mike McCarthy will not be returning to the franchise next season.
Jones, who has been complimentary of McCarthy throughout the season despite a 7-10 finish, confirmed that he and McCarthy “mutually” decided to “head in a different direction.” McCarthy’s contract with Dallas ends on Tuesday.
“Prior to reaching the point of contract negotiations, though, it became mutually clear that it would be better for each of us to head in a different direction. I thank Mike and wish him, his wife Jessica and their family the best,” Jones said.
Jones also confirmed that the Cowboys’ search for a new head coach, the 10th in the franchise’s nearly 65-year history, will start immediately. Since buying the team in 1989, Jones has overseen nine of those coaches. The only one he didn’t was two-time Super Bowl-winning coach Tom Landry, who he fired upon purchasing the franchise.
Right now, it’s unclear if the Cowboys have their eyes on any other coaching free agents. No reports have linked the Cowboys to any of the top coaching candidates this cycle.
With five other teams having head coaching vacancies, the Cowboys could have a tougher time finding their next leader, but that leaves an open job market for McCarthy.
Jerry Jones’ full statement on McCarthy:
“Throughout Mike McCarthy’s tenure here, including the last several weeks, I have been very complimentary of the job he has done. That has applied to our record over that time period, our team unity and culture, Mike’s qualifications and track record of success, and on a personal level as a tremendous human being. I have great respect for Mike, and he has led the team through some very unique and challenging times during his tenure.
Over the past week, Mike and I had the opportunity to conduct a joint review of all aspects of the past season, our players and staff, and also spent considerable time discussing the road forward for the team. These discussions were thorough and received an appropriate amount of time and depth to cover. Prior to reaching the point of contract negotiations, though, it became mutually clear that it would be better for each of us to head in a different direction. I thank Mike and wish him, his wife Jessica and their family the best. They have been a wonderful part of our community here.
We will commence a search process immediately to hire the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.”