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By Richie Whitt
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After a year of Brian Schottenheimer's college enthusiasm harpooned by Pop Warner execution, three consecutive seasons of 12-5 doesn't sound so bad after all to Dallas Cowboys fans. When owner/general manager Jerry Jones decided not to bring back head coach Mike McCarthy after the 2024 season, this wasn't the "next level" he envisioned.
But while the Cowboys sift through the rubble of a 7-9-1 season doomed by the worst defense in franchise history, McCarthy is ready to jump back into coaching. Cue the FOMO.
After taking a year off in which we only saw him making weekly appearances as an analyst on ESPN's Pat McAfee Show, the 62-year-old former Cowboys' head coach is reportedly interviewing for the Pittsburgh Steelers' job that opened up when Mike Tomlin stepped down last week after 19 seasons.
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Hired to replace Jason Garrett in 2020, McCarthy led the Cowboys to the playoffs three times after 12-5 regular seasons from 2021-23. During his tenure Dak Prescott finished second in MVP voting, the offense set single-season records for most points, and the Cowboys won a playoff game to send iconic quarterback Tom Brady into retirement.
In the end, two one-score playoff losses to the San Francisco 49ers and questionable game management led to Jones not bringing McCarthy back.
Said Jones of the decision in January 2025, "We feel like it's time for a new direction."
McCarthy reportedly also interviewed with the Tennessee Titans, who have decided instead to hire 49ers' defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as their next head coach.
McCarthy landing the Pittsburgh job would mean his career would include coaching three of the NFL's most storied and successful franchises in the Steelers (six Super Bowls), Cowboys (five) and Green Bay Packers (four). He won his only Super Bowl in the 2010 season when the Packers beat the Steelers at the Cowboys' AT&T Stadium.
While McCarthy decides on his future, the Cowboys are still busy interviewing candidates to replace recently fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. The Cowboys this season were the worst defense in the NFL, setting a franchise record by allowing 30.1 points per game.
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