Mike McCarthy

Michael John McCarthy is an American football head coach for the Dallas Cowboys, as of the 2024 NFL season. He began his NFL coaching career with the Kansas City Chiefs as an Offensive Quality Control coach in 1993. As of October 2024, he has accumulated over three decades of experience coaching and guiding several NFL teams.

During his formative years, McCarthy attended Bishop Boyle High School. After high school, he initially enrolled at Salem University (then Salem College), and later transferred to Scottsdale Community College in Arizona, and ultimately graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration from Baker University in 1987. In 1989, he graduated with a M.S. in Sports Administration.

Mike McCarthy 's Personal Information

Mike McCarthy's Early Life, Personal Life, and Family Background

McCarthy was born on November 10, 1963 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to parents Ellen and Joe McCarthy Jr. During his high school years, he attended St. Rosalia Primary School, before transferring to Bishop Boyle High School. While at St. Rosalia, he also participated in basketball.

McCarthy initially enrolled at Salem University, before transferring to Scottsdale Community College, where he played one season for the Fighting Artichokes. Ultimately, he transferred to Baker University in 1985. During his time at Baker, McCarthy was a two-time All-Conference tight end.

Mike McCarthy's Net Worth & Career Earnings

According to Celebrity Net Worth, McCarthy has an estimated net worth of $9 million, as of October 2024.

Mike McCarthy Contract & Salary

According to Spotrac, McCarthy signed a five-year contract with the Dallas Cowboys and will receive a salary of $4 million as reported by Celebrity Net Worth.

Mike McCarthy Coaching History

McCarthy began his coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant at Fort Hays State in 1987 and then joined the University of Pittsburgh in 1989. He concluded his collegiate coaching career as a wide receivers coach in 1992 for Pittsburgh. In 1993, he started his NFL coaching career with the Kansas City Chiefs and has since worked with several teams in various positions.

Fort Hays State (1987–1988)

McCarthy joined as a defensive graduate assistant at Fort Hays State, hired by the defensive coordinator Duane Dirk in 1987, focusing on training linebackers and defensive ends.

University of Pittsburgh (1989–1991)

In 1989, he joined the University of Pittsburgh as a graduate assistant under the head coach, Mike Gottfried.

Pittsburgh (1992)

After serving as a graduate assistant for three seasons, he later became the wide receivers coach at Pittsburgh under the head coach, Paul Hackett, in 1992.

Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1998)

In 1993, McCarthy began his NFL coaching career, joining the Kansas City Chiefs as an offensive quality control coach under head coach, Marty Schottenheimer. He was later promoted to quarterbacks coach in 1995 and served in that role until 1998.

Green Bay Packers (1999)

McCarthy joined the Green Bay Packers in 1999 serving as a quarterbacks coach, coaching NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre. McCarthy helped the Packers rank seventh in passing and ninth in total offense in the league in 1999.

New Orleans Saints (2000–2004)

In 2000, McCarthy served as the offensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints. Notably, the Saints finished the regular season with a 10–6 record, won their first-ever playoff game, and ranked 10th in total offense in 2000. That same year, he was named the National Football Conference (NFC) Assistant Coach of the Year by USA Today. During his time with the team, the Saints' offense set 25 individual records and 10 team records.

San Francisco 49ers (2005)

After spending four seasons with the Saints, he joined the San Francisco 49ers as an offensive coordinator under head coach, Mike Nolan, in 2005.

Green Bay Packers (2006–2018)

In 2006, McCarthy's position was elevated as he became head coach of the Green Bay Packers. During his 13 seasons coaching the team, he led the team to nine playoff appearances and won the Super Bowl XLV for the 2010 season, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 25-31. He had a record of 135–85–2 during his coaching tenure, which also included playoff appearances and wins.

Dallas Cowboys (2020-Present)

After going on a hiatus during the 2019 NFL season, he joined the Dallas Cowboys as their head coach, as of October 2024.

Mike McCarthy's Playing Career

McCarthy played one season for the Fighting Artichokes, representing Scottsdale Community College in 1984. He then decided to transfer to Baker University in 1985. During his time at Baker, McCarthy was a two-time All-Conference tight end. In 1986, he served as team captain, leading the team to a national runner-up finish in NAIA Division II. After concluding his collegiate career, he entered the NFL and went undrafted in the 1987 NFL Draft.

Mike McCarthy's Achievements & Awards

McCarthy is a Super Bowl champion, having won Super Bowl XLV against the Steelers in 2010. He has a head coaching record of 169 wins, 104 losses, and 2 ties in the regular season, and an 11–11 record in the postseason. Overall, his career record is 180 wins, 115 losses, and 2 ties, as of October 2024.

Mike McCarthy Coaching Tree

According to Pro Football History, McCarthy worked as an assistant coach for Marty Schottenheimer, Ray Rhodes, Jim Haslett, and Mike Nolan, spending six years on Schottenheimer's staff. While he was the head coach, two of his assistant coaches, Joe Philbin and Ben McAdoo, have been hired as head coaches by other teams in the league.

Mike McCarthy Family

McCarthy is the son of Ellen and Joe McCarthy Jr. He has five siblings including three sisters named Colleen, Ellen, and Kellie, and a brother named Joseph III, who passed away in 2015.

Mike McCarthy Father

Joe McCarthy Jr. is the father of McCarthy. He was a firefighter for the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau, an officer for the Pittsburgh Police, and the owner of a bar called Joe McCarthy's Bar and Grill.

Mike McCarthy Mother

McCarthy's mother, Ellen McCarthy, was a secretary and also worked in restaurants and for the Peace & Justice Center.

Mike McCarthy Wife

McCarthy married his high school sweetheart Christine in 1995 but amicably divorced later. He remarried Jessica Kress on March 15, 2008. Together, they have two daughters and are raising two sons from Jessica's first marriage and a daughter from McCarthy's first marriage.

Mike McCarthy Kids

According to the official website of McCarthy Family Foundation, McCarthy and his wife share five children named Alex, Jack, George, Gabrielle, and Isabella.