Mike McCarthy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Mike McCarthy

McCarthy with the Dallas Cowboys in 2021
Personal information
Born:	(1963-11-10) November 10, 1963 (age 61) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Career information
High school:	Bishop Boyle (Homestead, Pennsylvania)
College:	Baker
Undrafted:	1987
Career history
As coach:
Fort Hays State (1987–1988) Graduate assistant Pittsburgh (1989–1991) Graduate assistant Pittsburgh (1992) Wide receivers coach Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1994) Offensive quality control Kansas City Chiefs (1995–1998) Quarterbacks coach Green Bay Packers (1999) Quarterbacks coach New Orleans Saints (2000–2004) Offensive coordinator San Francisco 49ers (2005) Offensive coordinator Green Bay Packers (2006–2018) Head coach Dallas Cowboys (2020–2024) Head coach
Career highlights and awards
Super Bowl champion (XLV) Maxwell Football Club NFL Coach of the Year (2011)
Head coaching record
Regular season:	174–112–2 (.608)
Postseason:	11–11 (.500)
Career:	185–123–2 (.600)
Coaching stats at PFR

Michael John McCarthy (born November 10, 1963) is an American football coach. He was most recently the head coach for the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League (NFL) from 2020 to 2024. Before that, he was the head coach for the Green Bay Packers from 2006 to 2018.

In 2011, McCarthy led the Packers to win Super Bowl XLV. They beat his hometown team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also worked as an offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints. Over 17 seasons as an NFL head coach, McCarthy has a strong record. He is one of only five head coaches to lead a team to eight straight playoff appearances.

Early Life and Playing Career

Mike McCarthy grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His dad was a firefighter and owned a bar. Mike helped clean the bar on Sundays. He was a big fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers football team.

Mike went to St. Rosalia primary school and played basketball. He later attended Bishop Boyle High School. After high school, he played college football.

College Football Player

In 1984, McCarthy played football at Scottsdale Community College. He then moved to Baker University, a smaller college in Kansas. There, he was a two-time all-conference tight end. In 1986, he was the team captain. His team finished as the national runner-up in their division. In 1987, McCarthy earned a degree in business administration.

Coaching Journey Begins

Mike McCarthy started his coaching career in college football. He then moved on to coach in the NFL.

College Coaching

In 1987, McCarthy became a graduate assistant coach at Fort Hays State University. He worked with linebackers and defensive ends. He also earned a master's degree in Sports Administration.

In 1989, McCarthy returned to Pittsburgh. He wanted to coach at the University of Pittsburgh. He even showed up at the head coach's office without an appointment! He was offered a volunteer coaching job without pay. He later coached wide receivers there. To earn extra money, he worked as a toll collector on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. He used this time to study football plays.

NFL Coaching Start

In 1993, McCarthy joined the Kansas City Chiefs as an offensive quality control assistant. He worked with famous quarterback Joe Montana. From 1995 to 1998, he became the Chiefs' quarterbacks coach. His quarterbacks threw very few interceptions during this time.

In 1999, McCarthy moved to the Green Bay Packers. He coached Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre. Under McCarthy, Favre threw for over 4,000 yards in 1999. The Packers' offense was ranked high in the league that year.

New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers

In 2000, McCarthy became the offensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints. That year, the Saints had a 10–6 record. They won their first playoff game in team history. McCarthy was named NFC Assistant Coach of the Year by USA Today.

The Saints' offense did very well under McCarthy. They set many team and individual records. Running backs Ricky Williams and Deuce McCallister both had 1,000-yard seasons. McCarthy stayed with the Saints for five seasons.

In 2005, McCarthy became the offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers. This was a tough year for the team. Their main quarterback was traded, and a rookie quarterback got injured. Despite this, running back Frank Gore started to show his talent.

Head Coach: Green Bay Packers

Mike McCarthy became the head coach of the Green Bay Packers on January 11, 2006.

Early Years (2006–2009)

In 2006, the Packers started with a 4–8 record. But they won their last four games, finishing 8–8. In 2007, McCarthy led the Packers to a great 13–3 record. They reached the NFC Championship game but lost in overtime. McCarthy was second in voting for NFL Coach of the Year.

The 2008 season was a big change. Aaron Rodgers became the starting quarterback after Brett Favre retired and then decided to play for another team. The Packers finished 6–10 that year. But Aaron Rodgers threw for over 4,000 yards.

In 2009, Rodgers improved even more. The Packers won 11 games and made the playoffs. They lost a close game in overtime to the Arizona Cardinals.

Super Bowl XLV Champions (2010)

McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers in 2012

The 2010 season was amazing for the Packers. Many players got injured, but McCarthy still led them to a 10–6 record. They made the playoffs as the sixth seed.

The Packers went on a winning streak in the playoffs. They beat the Philadelphia Eagles, then crushed the Atlanta Falcons 48–21. They then won the NFC Championship game against the Chicago Bears. This sent them to Super Bowl XLV.

In Super Bowl XLV, the Packers played the Pittsburgh Steelers. McCarthy was so confident, he had the team fitted for championship rings before the game! The Packers won 31–25, bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to Green Bay. It was their first Super Bowl win since 1996.

Later Packers Years (2011–2018)

The 2011 Packers team was record-breaking. They led the NFL in points and won 15 games, losing only one. Aaron Rodgers had an amazing season, winning the NFL MVP award. However, their season ended in the playoffs when they lost to the New York Giants.

In 2012, the Packers won their division again with an 11–5 record. They made the playoffs for the 28th time in team history. They beat the Vikings but lost to the 49ers.

McCarthy led the Packers to their third straight division title in 2013. In 2014, they won their fourth straight division title with a 12–4 record. The team's offense was one of the best in the NFL. McCarthy passed Vince Lombardi for second place in all-time wins for the Packers.

In the 2014 playoffs, the Packers beat the Dallas Cowboys. But they had a tough loss in the NFC Championship game against the Seattle Seahawks. They had a big lead but lost in overtime. McCarthy was criticized for some of his play calls in that game.

In 2015, McCarthy gave up play-calling duties for a while but took them back later in the season. The Packers made the playoffs for the seventh year in a row.

In 2016, McCarthy became the fourth NFL head coach to lead his team to eight or more consecutive playoff appearances. The Packers won two playoff games but lost the NFC Championship to the Atlanta Falcons.

The 2017 season was tough due to an injury to quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Packers did not make the playoffs that year.

On December 2, 2018, after 13 seasons, Mike McCarthy was released as the head coach of the Packers. He led the team to nine playoff appearances and one Super Bowl win. McCarthy later said that both sides needed a change.

Time Off (2019)

After leaving the Packers, McCarthy decided to take the 2019 season off. He spent this time learning more about football strategies and analytics. He called this his "McCarthy Project." He worked with other coaches to study league trends and playbooks. He said this time made him "definitely a better coach."

Head Coach: Dallas Cowboys

Mike McCarthy became the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys on January 7, 2020.

First Seasons (2020–2022)

McCarthy's first game as Cowboys head coach was a 20–17 loss. But he got his first win the next week in a close 40–39 victory. The Cowboys finished the 2020 season with a 6–10 record. Their starting quarterback, Dak Prescott, got injured early in the season.

In 2021, McCarthy led the Cowboys to a 12–5 record. They won the NFC East division title. However, they lost their first playoff game at home to the San Francisco 49ers. The game ended with a controversial play where the clock ran out before the Cowboys could try a final pass. McCarthy defended his decision for the play call.

For the 2022 season, the Cowboys again had a 12–5 record. Quarterback Dak Prescott was injured early, but backup quarterback Cooper Rush played well. McCarthy led the Cowboys to a playoff win against the Buccaneers. But they lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the next round.

Recent Seasons (2023–2024)

In January 2023, McCarthy announced changes to his coaching staff. He also said he would be calling the plays for the team during the season.

In January 2024, the Cowboys owner, Jerry Jones, said McCarthy would stay as head coach. However, on January 13, 2025, it was announced that McCarthy would no longer be the head coach of the Cowboys.

Awards and Recognition

• In 2007, McCarthy was voted the Motorola NFL Coach of the Year.
• He also received the NFL Alumni's Coach of the Year award.
• In 2008, he received a distinguished service award in Green Bay.
• In 2000, he was named NFC Assistant Coach of the Year by USA Today.

Personal Life and Charity Work

Mike McCarthy is married to Jessica Kress. They have five children together from their current and previous marriages.

McCarthy and his wife are very involved in charity work. They have supported the Seven Loaves Project in Rwanda. They also started the McCarthy Family Foundation. This foundation has given a lot of money to the American Family Children's Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. McCarthy hosts a golf tournament each year to help the hospital.

His foundation has also donated to the MVP Foundation, which helps combat veterans and former athletes. They also gave $100,000 to the Green Bay Police Foundation. This money helped buy protective equipment for police officers and supported community programs.

McCarthy enjoys cooking and supports local restaurants. He even helped create a special burger called the "Mac Attack" at a restaurant in Lambeau Field. A part of the money from burger sales went to his family's charity.

Head Coaching Record

See also

In Spanish: Mike McCarthy para niños