Mike McCarthy
FILE - In this Feb. 25, 2020, file photo, Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. The Dallas Cowboys agreed to terms Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, with former Atlanta coach Quinn as defensive coordinator, turning over a unit that was among the worst in franchise history to someone who built his reputation on defense in Seattle. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Cowboys pick ex-Atlanta coach Quinn as defensive coordinator

Jan. 11, 2021 07:52 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 11, 2020, file photo, Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Nolan talks to players as they warm up for an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys have fired Nolan after their defense allowed a franchise record in points and finished 31st in the NFL against the run in his only season, the team announced Friday, Jan. 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)
Cowboys fire defensive coordinator Mike Nolan after 1 season

Jan. 08, 2021 05:14 PM EST

Dallas Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott, center, pushes through New York Giants defenders to score a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Defense figures to be focus as Cowboys miss playoffs again

By Schuyler Dixon Jan. 04, 2021 05:22 PM EST

Dallas Cowboys' Trevon Diggs, left, and New York Giants' Darius Slayton fight for the ball during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
McCarthy defends key decisions as loss eliminates Cowboys

By Schuyler Dixon Jan. 03, 2021 06:34 PM EST

New York Giants' Xavier McKinney, right, celebrates his interception in the end zone during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Giants outlast Cowboys, lose division hours later to WSH

By Jake Seiner Jan. 03, 2021 04:37 PM EST

FILE - In this Aug. 30, 2020, file photo, Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore watches practice during an NFL football training camp in Arlington, Texas. Moore said Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, he is no longer pursuing the Boise State job, and the Cowboys signed their play-caller to a multiyear contract extension. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
Moore ends pursuit of Boise State job, staying with Cowboys

Jan. 02, 2021 10:42 PM EST

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs the ball as Philadelphia Eagles linebacker T.J. Edwards (57) and cornerback Michael Jacquet (38) close in to make the stop in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 27. 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Elliott, Cowboys still have hope in star RB's rough season

By Schuyler Dixon Jan. 01, 2021 04:37 PM EST

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Sterling Shepard during the second half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Cowboys, Giants need a win and Washington loss for playoffs

By Tom Canavan Dec. 31, 2020 05:53 PM EST

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson, left, and Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy greet each other after their NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 27. 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Seeds of hope: Cowboys alive and kicking in woeful NFC East

By Schuyler Dixon Dec. 28, 2020 05:25 PM EST

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup (13) catches a touchdown pass as Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Michael Jacquet (38) defends in the first half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 27. 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Cowboys beat Eagles 37-17, stay alive with Washington loss

By Schuyler Dixon Dec. 27, 2020 07:58 PM EST

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson watches warmups before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 27. 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys 12/27/2020

Dec. 27, 2020 03:56 PM EST

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone argues a call with side judge Dyrol Prioleau (109) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 24-20. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
On Football: NFL coaching carousel about to start spinning

By Barry Wilner Dec. 25, 2020 02:38 PM EST

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton (14) keeps the ball for a gain of yardage as San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (99) and Kerry Hyder Jr. (92) give chase in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Cowboys, Eagles meet in altered states, close to elimination

By Schuyler Dixon Dec. 24, 2020 04:08 PM EST

Dallas Cowboys' Andy Dalton (14), Dalton Schultz, rear, celebrate a touchdown run by Tony Pollard (20) in the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Turnaround on turnovers helps Cowboys keep faint hopes alive

By Schuyler Dixon Dec. 21, 2020 12:24 PM EST

Dallas Cowboys' Andy Dalton (14), Dalton Schultz, rear, celebrate a touchdown run by Tony Pollard (20) in the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Pollard scores 2 with Elliott out, Cowboys beat 49ers 41-33

By Schuyler Dixon Dec. 20, 2020 04:39 PM EST

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton warms up before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys 12/20/2020

Dec. 20, 2020 12:08 PM EST

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy on the sideline in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Cowboys look to build on Cincy win, finish rough year strong

By Schuyler Dixon Dec. 14, 2020 05:41 PM EST

Denver Broncos wide receiver Diontae Spencer celebrates after scoring during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
NFL Today, Week 14

By The Associated Press Dec. 13, 2020 10:18 PM EST

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton (14) celebrates a touchdown throw with wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)
Dalton returns to Cincy, leads Cowboys over Bengals 30-7

By Mitch Stacy Dec. 13, 2020 04:09 PM EST

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Brandon Allen (8) throws against the Dallas Cowboys in the first half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Dallas Cowboys at Cincinnati Bengals 12/13/2020

Dec. 13, 2020 01:18 PM EST