The Mike McCarthy press conference to introduce him as the ninth head coach in the history of the Dallas Cowboys was more entertaining than it was informative. It was a certainly stark difference to the previous regime’s talking points, but it’s early on and the honeymoon glow is still abound.
The press conference was well attended, not only by the media which was out in force, but by some of the players currently on the roster and it didn’t take long for McCarthy to show emotion, choking up almost immediately.
Mike McCarthy is tearing up at the #Cowboys presser. He said he told his wife he wouldn't make it past 10 words before he did.
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) January 8, 2020
The gravity of the situation isn’t lost on him, referencing his previous stop as head coach of the Green Bay Packers to explain how he knows what the expectation is for football in Dallas. McCarthy went on to call the Dallas Cowboys “the most iconic franchise in professional sports.”
The word was mum when it came to officially naming staff and game plans, though several names have been bandied about. The main thing everyone wants to know is whether or not the team will switch to a 3-4 defense under defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, but McCarthy indicated that will all be revealed when they officially announce the coaching staff.
Mike McCarthy noncommittal about any plans to transition Cowboys from a 4-3 to 3-4 base defense. “We’ll get into that when we announce our staff and make clear the direction we’re going.”
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) January 8, 2020
As for the staff, owner Jerry Jones clearly knows the chatter among the fan base, that he’s been too heavily involved in building the coaching staffs in recent memory and he was explicit in stating he wanted McCarthy to pick his own.
Jerry Jones on Mike McCarthy picking his assistant coaches: “We wanted Mike to pick his own staff.”
Then jokes: “I’ve always thought that.” (Smiles)
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 8, 2020
It wouldn’t be a press conference in Dallas without a mention of Jason Garrett, who, even as he was being ousted, remained as classy as ever. He gave rave reviews of his successor, telling Jones “you’re not going to meet anybody more special than Mike.”
Jason Garrett told Jerry Jones "you're not going to meet anybody more special than Mike [McCarthy]", when Jones told Garrett he'd sit down with McCarthy last weekend.
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) January 8, 2020
Jones spoke lovingly, not only of his previous coach, but the entire Garrett family, noting that he’s written a check to a Garrett in some form or fashion for 28 of his 30 years in the league as he has worked with both his father and his brother through his tenure.
Jerry Jones notes that he has written a check to the Garrett family for all but two of his years as owner. That’s including Jason’s father, Jason’s time as a player and then as a coach.
He says Jason is a great guy with a great family and wishes the best for him.
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) January 8, 2020
The highlight of the press conference came when the timeless question was posed to McCarthy: Did Dez catch it? It drew laughs from those in attendance and was answered as diplomatically as possible, saying “It was a great catch, I can say now. It wasn’t then, technically.”
It took 29 minutes but the Dez Bryant/catch-noncatch was asked and Mike McCarthy said, "It was a great catch, I can say now. It wasn't then, technically." Had referee Gene Steratore not told McCarthy the letter of the catch rule back in 2014, McCarthy… https://t.co/dai9VyyKYj
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) January 8, 2020
He referenced asking referee Gene Steratore what the rule was at the time which Jerry Jones took umbrage with it capping it off with:
"These damn officials shouldn't talk so much. The coaches should already know the rules."
– Jerry after McCarthy admits his challenge to Dez catch was based on ref answer
This is phenomenal.
— Patrik [No C] Walker (@VoiceOfTheStar) January 8, 2020
There will be more news in the coming days regarding actual football related material that will be covered in depth here at the Cowboys Wire. But for now, enjoy what is the beginning of a long ride.
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