Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons. Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Micah Parsons reacts to Cowboys moving on from HC Mike McCarthy

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jan 14, 2025 6:17 PM ET

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons seems crushed after the team parted ways with former head coach Mike McCarthy on Monday.

On a Tuesday episode of his podcast, "The Edge with Micah Parsons," the 25-year-old pass-rusher called the Cowboys' decision "devastating."

"It is devastating. Coach Mike is a great father, coach. Losing a great coach like Mike hurts," Parsons said. "It's going to be a very interesting offseason. It's going to be a complete reset."

Micah on Mike McCarthy's exit and what's next for Cowboys:

"It is devastating... It's gonna be a complete reset."

(via The Edge with Micah Parsons) pic.twitter.com/8qxpw2l6Gq
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 14, 2025

In five seasons with the club, McCarthy went 49-35 in the regular season and made three playoff appearances. However, a reboot seems necessary after Dallas went 7-10 this season. Parsons indicated he's still unsure who will replace McCarthy.

"We don't know who's getting what, there's been lots of speculation. Former players mentioned like 'Prime Time' [Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders] and [Jason] Witten, but at the end of the day, speculation is speculation. We're going to wait to see who gets hired, who's gonna be our DC, our OC," Parsons said.

On Monday, Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz tweeted that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones contacted Sanders — a Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back — and both sides are expected to continue discussions.

Witten — a former tight end who made 11 Pro Bowls in 16 seasons with Dallas — has no NFL coaching experience. He has been the head coach for Liberty Christian High School in Argyle, Texas, since 2021, going 38-11.

Dallas should continue to target other candidates, perhaps Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore or Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

Whoever the Cowboys hire as their next HC should be someone who clicks with Parsons. Since being drafted No. 12 overall by the Cowboys in 2021, he has won Defensive Rookie of the Year, made four Pro Bowls and recorded 52.5 sacks.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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