‘Raw & Numb’ Coach Mike McCarthy Boasts of Dallas Cowboys ‘Championship Program'

A day after being brought back by Jerry Jones to coach another season for the Dallas Cowboys, Mike McCarthy showed expected disappointment in the season's shocking end but also enthusiastic optimism toward the team's future.

FRISCO - Mike McCarthy's NFL coaching resume parallels those boasted by Mike Tomlin, John Harbaugh and Sean Payton. And his first four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys mirrors the same beginning of Andy Reid in Kansas City with the Chiefs.

Suffice to say McCarthy was relieved at not being fired by owner Jerry Jones in the wake of last Sunday's shocking playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers. But at Thursday morning's press conference at The Star - while conceding to feeling “raw and numb” - he was also buoyed by self confidence and a program he believes - in the big picture - remains on track for a Super Bowl.

"Our fan base should be disappointed," McCarthy said. "But we've established a championship program ... it's just not a world championship program yet. We haven't crossed the threshold of winning in the postseason. But I'm very confident that we will."

McCarthy won a Super Bowl in his fifth season coaching the Green Bay Packers. Next year - coaching as a lame duck without contract security past 2024 - will be his fifth in Dallas.

Does he envision a similar path? "Yes. There ya go."

Under McCarthy the Cowboys are 42-25, but only 1-3 in the playoffs. What was Reid during his first four years with the Chiefs? 43-21, including 1-3 in the playoffs. He won the first of two Super Bowls in Kansas City in his seventh season.

McCarthy's career record is 167-102-2, including 11-11 in the playoffs with one Super Bowl. Harbaugh: 160-99, 11-9 with one. Tomlin: 173-100-2, 8-10 with one. Payton: 160-98, 9-8 and one.

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In the last three seasons the Cowboys have 36 regular-season wins, second only to the Chiefs' 37.

"I'm very disappointed in our performance ... not playing to our standard," McCarthy said of the upset home loss to the Packers. "But I'm very confident in the direction of our team. I like where we are moving forward."