Career Timeline of Mike McCarthy: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Mike McCarthy built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Mike McCarthy is an American football coach. He was the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys (2020-2024) and the Green Bay Packers (2006-2018), leading the Packers to a Super Bowl XLV victory in 2011 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He has also served as an offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints, showcasing a lengthy and successful career in professional football coaching.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1986: Captain of Baker University team

In 1986, Mike McCarthy was the captain of the Baker University football team, which finished the season as the national runner-up in NAIA Division II.

1987: Defensive graduate assistant at Fort Hays State

From 1987, Mike McCarthy served as a defensive graduate assistant at Fort Hays State.

1987: Hired as Defensive Graduate Assistant

In 1987, Duane Dirk hired Mike McCarthy as a defensive graduate assistant (GA) at Fort Hays State University in Kansas.

1988: Defensive graduate assistant at Fort Hays State

In 1988, Mike McCarthy continued serving as a defensive graduate assistant at Fort Hays State.

July 30, 1989: Contacted University of Pittsburgh for coaching job

On July 30, 1989, Mike McCarthy contacted Mike Gottfried at the University of Pittsburgh, looking for a coaching job.

1989: Graduated with M.S. in Sports Administration

In 1989, Mike McCarthy graduated with a Master of Science degree in Sports Administration from Fort Hays State University.

1992: Coached Wide Receivers at the University of Pittsburgh

In 1992, Mike McCarthy coached wide receivers at the University of Pittsburgh, also working the night shift on the Pennsylvania Turnpike as a toll collector.

1993: Hired by the Kansas City Chiefs

In 1993, Mike McCarthy and Paul Hackett were hired by the Kansas City Chiefs under head coach Marty Schottenheimer, where McCarthy worked as an offensive quality control assistant.

1994: Worked with Joe Montana

In 1994, Mike McCarthy continued his work as an offensive quality control assistant for the Kansas City Chiefs, working with Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana.

1995: Became Quarterbacks Coach for the Chiefs

In 1995, Mike McCarthy became the quarterbacks coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, overseeing Rich Gannon, Elvis Grbac, and Steve Bono.

1996: Reference to Packers 1996 Season

The Packers won their fourth Super Bowl, returning the Lombardi Trophy to Green Bay for the first time since the team's 1996 season.

1998: Left Chiefs, Became Packers Quarterbacks Coach

In 1998, after Marty Schottenheimer resigned, Mike McCarthy left the Kansas City Chiefs and became the quarterbacks coach for the Green Bay Packers, working with Brett Favre.

1999: Packers Passing and Offense Ranked Highly

In the 1999 season, while working with Mike McCarthy, Packers quarterback Brett Favre threw for 4,091 yards. The 1999 Packers team ranked seventh in passing and ninth in overall offense in the league.

2000: McCarthy Named NFC Assistant Coach of the Year

In 2000, McCarthy was selected as National Football Conference (NFC) Assistant Coach of the Year by USA Today.

2000: Hired as Offensive Coordinator for the Saints

In 2000, Mike McCarthy was hired as the offensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints. The team won their first playoff game and McCarthy was selected as NFC Assistant Coach of the Year by USA Today.

2002: Saints Led NFC in Scoring

In 2002, the New Orleans Saints led the NFC in scoring with 49 touchdowns and 432 points, while Mike McCarthy was the offensive coordinator.

2002: Previous NFC North Titles

The 2012 NFC North title was the first time the Packers had won consecutive NFC North titles since they won three from 2002.

2003: Saints Scored 340 Points

In 2003, the New Orleans Saints scored 340 points, their eighth-highest-scoring season ever, with Mike McCarthy as the offensive coordinator.

2004: Fifth Season with the Saints

In 2004, Mike McCarthy completed his fifth season with the New Orleans Saints as their offensive coordinator.

2004: Previous NFC North Titles

The 2012 NFC North title was the first time the Packers had won consecutive NFC North titles since they won three from 2004.

2005: Offensive Coordinator for the 49ers

In 2005, Mike McCarthy served as the offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers under coach Mike Nolan. The season had setbacks including a quarterback change and an injury.

January 2, 2006: Sherman Released from Packers

On January 2, 2006, Mike Sherman was released from the Green Bay Packers, initiating the search for a replacement.

January 8, 2006: Interviewed by the Packers

On January 8, 2006, Mike McCarthy was interviewed by Packers general manager Ted Thompson for the head coaching position.

2006: Became Head Coach of the Green Bay Packers

In 2006, Mike McCarthy became the head coach of the Green Bay Packers.

2006: Packers Finished Season 8-8

In 2006, Mike McCarthy's first year as head coach, the Packers started with a 4-8 record but won their last four games to finish the season 8-8.

2007: McCarthy Named NFL Coach of the Year

In 2007, McCarthy was voted the Motorola NFL Coach of the Year and also named NFL Alumni's Coach of the Year.

2007: Guided Packers to NFC Championship Game

In 2007, Mike McCarthy guided the Packers to an 8-1 start and finished the regular season with a 13-3 record, leading them to the NFC Championship game where they lost to the New York Giants.

January 19, 2008: Signed Contract Extension with the Packers

On January 19, 2008, Mike McCarthy signed a five-year contract extension with the Green Bay Packers, raising his salary to $3.4 million a year.

2008: Rodgers First Season as Starting Quarterback

In 2008, Aaron Rodgers had his first season as the starting quarterback for the Packers.

2008: McCarthy Receives Distinguished Service Award

In 2008, McCarthy received the distinguished service award at the Lee Remmel sports awards banquet in Green Bay.

2008: Packers Finished 6-10

In 2008, the Packers finished the season with a 6-10 record and did not make the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers became the starting quarterback and threw for over 4,000 yards.

2009: Packers Qualified for Playoffs

In 2009, the Packers qualified for the playoffs with an 11-5 record, led by Aaron Rodgers despite being sacked 50 times.

2010: Led Packers to 10-6 Finish Despite Injuries

In 2010, despite having 25 players on the injured reserve list, Mike McCarthy led the Packers to a 10-6 regular season finish and earned them second place in the NFC North.

2011: Won Super Bowl XLV

In 2011, Mike McCarthy led the Green Bay Packers to a win in Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

2011: Record-Setting Packers Season

In 2011, the Packers team set records for points scored and consecutive wins, finishing 15-1. McCarthy's strategies facilitated Aaron Rodgers' NFL MVP season.

2012: Packers Won NFC North Division

In 2012, the Packers finished with an 11-5 record, winning the NFC North Division. They lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

2013: Led Packers to NFC North Title

In 2013, Mike McCarthy led the Packers to an 8-7-1 regular season record and the NFC North title.

2013: McCarthy Partners with Curly's Pub for "Mac Attack" Burger

In 2013, Mike McCarthy partnered with Curly's Pub at Lambeau Field (now 1919 Kitchen & Tap) to create the "Mac Attack" burger, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting his foundation.

November 2014: Signed Contract Extension and Passed Lombardi

In November 2014, Mike McCarthy signed a contract extension through 2018 and passed Vince Lombardi for second on the Packers' all-time wins list.

2014: Guided Packers to NFC North Title

In 2014, Mike McCarthy guided the Packers to their fourth consecutive NFC North title with a 12-4 record. The team ranked sixth in the NFL in total offense, and first in points scored.

February 2015: McCarthy relinquished play calling duties

In February 2015, Mike McCarthy relinquished play calling duties to Tom Clements, his long-time assistant, after rejecting criticism of his heavily run-dependent strategy.

March 2015: Bill Belichick defends McCarthy

In March 2015, Bill Belichick stated that McCarthy is "one of the best coaches I've ever gone up against."

2015: McCarthy Takes Over Play Calling Again

In 2015, despite making the playoffs, the Packers struggled with a weak running game, leading McCarthy to retake play-calling responsibilities in December, resulting in a 28–7 victory over the Dallas Cowboys with 230 rushing yards.

2016: McCarthy Achieves Milestone, Packers Lose NFC Championship

In 2016, McCarthy became the fourth NFL head coach to lead his team to eight consecutive playoff appearances. The Packers won against the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs, but lost to the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game.

2017: Packers Miss Playoffs Due to Rodgers' Injury

In 2017, after a 4–1 start, the Packers' season was impacted by a collarbone injury to Aaron Rodgers in Week 6. With backup quarterback Brett Hundley, McCarthy and the Packers failed to make the playoffs, finishing 7–9.

January 2, 2018: McCarthy Signs Contract Extension with Packers

On January 2, 2018, Mike McCarthy signed a one-year contract extension with the Green Bay Packers.

December 2, 2018: McCarthy Released by Packers

On December 2, 2018, Mike McCarthy was released by the Green Bay Packers after 13 seasons as head coach, finishing with a 125–77–2 regular-season record and a Super Bowl victory.

2018: End of Tenure as Head Coach of the Green Bay Packers

In 2018, Mike McCarthy's tenure as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers ended.

2018: Contract Extension Reference

In November 2014, Mike McCarthy signed a contract extension through 2018.

January 5, 2019: McCarthy Interviews with the Jets

On January 5, 2019, McCarthy interviewed with the New York Jets for their head coach position but the Jets chose to hire Adam Gase instead.

January 9, 2019: McCarthy Announces Intention to Sit Out 2019 Season

On January 9, 2019, McCarthy announced his intention to sit out the 2019 season to improve his football knowledge and strategies, planning to return in 2020.

2019: McCarthy Studies Game Film During Hiatus

During his season off in 2019, Mike McCarthy spent time watching game film and studying analytics with fellow coaches to prepare for his return to the NFL.

January 7, 2020: McCarthy Hired as Cowboys Head Coach

On January 7, 2020, Mike McCarthy was announced as the new head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. He claimed he watched every play of the 2019 season to prepare for the interview.

September 13, 2020: McCarthy Loses Cowboys Coaching Debut

On September 13, 2020, McCarthy lost his debut as the Cowboys' head coach against the Los Angeles Rams with a score of 20–17.

2020: Became Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys

In 2020, Mike McCarthy became the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL.

2020: McCarthy Plans Return to the NFL

In 2020, after a year dedicated to improving his football knowledge and strategies through the "McCarthy Project," McCarthy planned to return to the NFL, feeling prepared and improved as a coach.

2021: Cowboys Win NFC East, McCarthy Uses Anti-Monkey Butt Powder

In 2021, McCarthy led the Cowboys to a 12–5 record and an NFC East title. Following a loss to the Broncos, McCarthy used Anti-Monkey Butt powder in a team presentation. He also missed a game due to COVID-19 protocols. The Cowboys were upset by the 49ers in the playoffs.

2021: Cowboys tied season record

In 2022, McCarthy led the Cowboys to a 12-5 record, tying the 2021 season record.

2022: Cowboys Achieve 12-5 Record, Prescott Injured

In 2022, McCarthy led the Cowboys to a 12–5 record. Quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a thumb fracture in the season opener, leading to Cooper Rush filling in as quarterback. McCarthy got emotional before playing the Packers in Week 9.

January 2023: Cowboys Part Ways with Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore

In January 2023, McCarthy announced that the Cowboys were parting ways with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, along with six other coaches.

February 2023: Jerry Jones Announces McCarthy Will Call Plays

In February 2023, team owner Jerry Jones announced that McCarthy would call plays during the following season, and McCarthy's new hires included offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.

2024: McCarthy's Contract Year and Coaching Changes

In 2024, McCarthy and his coaching staff entered the last year of their contracts without an extension. He replaced defensive coordinator Dan Quinn with Mike Zimmer, and the team faced roster challenges despite Jerry Jones' "all-in" approach.

2024: Ended Tenure as Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys

In 2024, Mike McCarthy's time as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL came to an end.

January 13, 2025: McCarthy No Longer Head Coach of Cowboys

After a disappointing 7-10 season marked by injuries and losses, it was announced on January 13, 2025, that McCarthy would no longer be the head coach of the Cowboys.