Michael Irvin recently shared his thoughts on why the Dallas Cowboys should part ways with head coach Mike McCarthy. Appearing as a guest on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” Irvin discussed McCarthy’s future with the team. Despite the Cowboys winning four of their last five games prior to their Week 17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Irvin does not believe that late-season surge should save McCarthy’s job.
Irvin argued that while the Cowboys showed some improvement late in the season, it wasn’t enough. “I still say it was too little too late,” Irvin remarked, expressing his belief that the team needs a new direction moving forward. He feels that McCarthy’s tenure should come to an end, despite the brief momentum.
One of Irvin’s main criticisms of McCarthy centers on the issue of discipline. He stated that the Cowboys are lacking in this area, which he believes is essential for success. Irvin acknowledged that McCarthy may be proficient in terms of strategy and understanding the Xs and Os of the game, but he feels the team needs a stronger, more disciplined leader.
Irvin believes McCarthy is not capable of being the disciplinarian the Cowboys need at this point. “It’s hard to bring that in when you say, OK, this guy who doesn’t have that firm hand in discipline is now going to either bring someone else in to help him with discipline,” Irvin said. He argued that bringing in someone else to fill this role wouldn’t work either, as it’s difficult to suddenly shift from a softer coaching style to a tougher one.
According to Irvin, McCarthy’s inability to establish a firm disciplinary structure means that his coaching approach has reached its limit. “You can’t come in soft and then try to get tough,” Irvin emphasized, suggesting that a change in leadership is necessary to improve the team’s overall discipline and consistency.
McCarthy has been the Cowboys’ head coach for five seasons, but his tenure has been marked by consistent playoff disappointments. Despite compiling three consecutive 12-5 seasons, McCarthy has been unable to lead the team to deep playoff runs, leaving many questioning his ability to deliver the results the Cowboys need.
This season, the Cowboys have struggled, with a disappointing 7-9 record heading into their Week 18 matchup against the Washington Commanders. The team’s performance this year has only heightened the doubts about McCarthy’s future in Dallas.
Despite Irvin’s calls for a change, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has expressed that he still wants to bring McCarthy back for another season. Jones has hinted that he sees potential in McCarthy and may be willing to give him more time, even as the team’s playoff hopes falter.
