Stephen Jones expects McCarthy to remain Cowboys HC

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys VP Stephen Jones expects Mike McCarthy to remain team's HC

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 1/17/22

Almost immediately after the Dallas Cowboys lost Sunday's Wild Card matchup against the San Francisco 49ers many were wondering if head coach Mike McCarthy would be on the sidelines next season.

Now, after a loss that included the Cowboys racking up 14 penalties, getting confused after a punt fake, and ultimately losing because of a failed quarterback draw, McCarthy is sitting squarely in the hot seat.

Or is he?

Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones doesn't think so, saying in a radio appearance on Monday he is confident McCarthy will return.

Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones on @1053thefan said he expects Mike McCarthy to remain Dallas’ head coach.

“Absolutely. Very confident.”
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 17, 2022

Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones didn't want to talk about McCarthy's employment status after Sunday's loss.

It's an emotional game but you don't like to hear a quote like this from Jerry Jones on Mike McCarthy's future: "I don't even want to discuss anything like that at this particular time. No discussion about anything." I would be surprised if MM isn't back in 2022.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) January 17, 2022

Of course, Dallas' offseason has barely gotten underway and a lot could happen in the coming months with regard to what changes the Cowboys will make ahead of next season.

That doesn't mean there aren't already guesses as to who would fill the void if McCarthy gets the boot. ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio suggests the Cowboys might offer offensive coordinator Kellen Moore a big raise and promotion to HC in place of McCarthy. Moore is a top prospect for coaching vacancies across the league. But, of course, that's just a guess at this point.

Don't be surprised if you keep seeing McCarthy's name in headlines even after the NFL postseason winds down. The Cowboys may have stopped playing, but the speculation regarding their head coach is going to continue for a while.

More must-reads: