Mike McCarthy has been a breath of fresh air to the Dallas Cowboys, who are having fun
When Mike McCarthy succeeded the-fired Jason Garrett as coach of the Dallas Cowboys, becoming the ninth coach in franchise history and given more power and authority than any coach since Hall of Famer Bill Parcells roamed the sidelines from 2003-2006, it was largely based on McCarthy’s experience and history as a proven winner.
Garrett was a first-time head coach who had to grow into the job and was seemingly still learning when he was let go.
Owner Jerry Jones wants to win now and seemingly turned to an old-school coach known to be hands-on, disciplined and fundamentally sound based on his 13 years with the Green Bay Packers, including a Super Bowl title in 2011.
Did Jones also know he was getting a big, loveable teddy bear who was going to let the players have fun, play loose and be themselves?
Training camp unofficially ends Sunday following the Cowboys’ night practice at AT&T Stadium that will be televised on TXA 21 at 5 p.m. The team returns to its traditional regular-season practice squad next week as the players start gearing up for the Sept. 13 season opener against the Los Angeles Rams with final cuts set for next Saturday.
Now, the Cowboys have gotten their work in during high intensity, up-tempo practice sessions that feature a volume of plays.
But from beginning to end of what has understandably been a different camp environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic and protocols, the biggest theme for the players has been an emphasis on fun.
“I would say his energy at practice. He wants everything to be uptempo,” receiver Michael Gallup said when asked about the difference between McCarthy and Garrett. “He wants us to have a good time while we are out there, make sure we are having fun. You know just a different variety of things that he does that we haven’t had here in the past. That has been good for us.”
Gallup is in his third year with the Cowboys. He was drafted by the Garrett regime. It was Garrett and his staff who consoled, comforted and stood by Gallup when he lost his brother to suicide as a rookie. Gallup also rose from an unknown third-round pick out of Colorado State to bona fide No. 1 receiver following a breakout 1,107-yard, six-touchdown campaign in 2019.
So, Gallup’s words aren’t meant to dis Garrett.
But it’s an important perspective that he offered unprompted on Friday during a radio interview on 103.3 FM.
Let’s be clear. The Cowboys generally liked Garrett. They played hard for him, and they never quit on him. Like Gallup, the majority of them owe their careers to Garrett as he was the only coach they have known in the NFL and he hired them.
But Garrett also majored in messages rather than real communications.
He was about signs and T-shirts.
But his professorial approach created an antiseptic and rigid environment, and his slogans grew stale.
The Cowboys can now breathe and be themselves under a more fun McCarthy.
“So far, it’s a totally different environment walking in the building now,” cornerback Anthony Brown said. Kind of like a breath of fresh air when you walk in right now with coach McCarthy coming in. The players have a lot more leeway to say what we want to do. He gives us more opportunity to express ourselves I would say.”
No malice toward his old coach was intended, but it proved crucial in understanding McCarthy’s softer hand, more understanding and human approach on the field and in the building.
“They’re definitely different. But different is good at times,” Prescott said in speaking about McCarthy. “He’s a very, very genuine guy. I think that’s the first thing that hit off with the team. When he gets in front of the team and when he walks around the building, you feel it. When he talks, you hear it. And then you see it just in his actions. I think that’s huge when you’re coaching a football team and being a leader, to be genuine like that, to be transparent. That’s the way he’s been.”
The Cowboys got their first clue about McCarthy’s ways from safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who spent five seasons with McCarthy in Green Bay.
Before camp, the players peppered Clinton-Dix with questions about McCarthy’s style and ways.
“He’s a players’ coach,” Clinton-Dix said. “He’s about taking care of his players and making sure we’re ready to play on game day, and I think that’s very important. He’s very hands-on with us. If you have a question, I wouldn’t mind walking up to him. I tell the guys who are trying to get familiar with him now, he’s very approachable.”
The Cowboys have bought in and are loving it.
“Man, you can tell that coach McCarthy has done that,” Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith said. “He knows what it takes. For us, we haven’t had that success in the highest level in professional sports. We can learn. Just thankful to have him as a coach.”
But what’s also true is McCarthy’s new style could be an iteration of an old school coach learning new ways.
Prescott said McCarthy openly talks about his past and what he has learned as a coach and how he’s going to serve the Cowboys and the way he handles things now.
When a coach is genuine, it goes a long way with the players as guys want to practice for him and give all they have, per Prescott.
Prescott is one guy McCarthy made a point to approach and get to buy into his vision and fun. Prescott spent all of the offseason program in a contract dispute.
So they had lunch together before camp to get to know each other.
“That’s just one of those things that’s so genuine about him,” Prescott said. “He’s a guy’s guy. We’re very fortunate to have him and excited about where he’s going to take us.”
How excited are the Cowboys are McCarthy and the fun they are having?
“Guys are juiced,’‘ running back Ezekiel Elliott said. “We’re flying around. I think we all love Coach McCarthy.’‘
