The Dallas Cowboys’ former head coach, Mike McCarthy, who was fired by Jerry Jones after a tough season, is preparing for a new season as a head coach. And while he is showing interest in coaching in the NFL again, at least one team is highly interested in McCarthy.
Former NFL Head Coach Mike McCarthy to Give an Interview for the AFC Team
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Jan. 15 that former Cowboys HC McCarthy is scheduled to interview Saturday in Tennessee for the Titans head coaching vacancy.
Former Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy is scheduled to interview Saturday in Tennessee for the Titans head coaching vacancy. pic.twitter.com/SQBeOKuTRG
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 15, 2026
McCarthy is getting real interest again after taking a year off. Last year, after he was fired by the Cowboys, McCarthy had an opportunity to interview for HC positions. But he had decided to take a meaningful gap. And after his interest, the longtime coach has landed a second interview for a head-coaching opening with Cam Ward’s Titans. McCarthy’s name has stayed in the mix as franchises sort through candidates with very different backgrounds and philosophies.
After winning a Super Bowl with the Packers and spending several seasons in the Cowboys, McCarthy brings a resume that few available coaches can match. That experience is appealing to teams looking for someone who has already handled pressure and fans’ expectations at the highest level.
There is no deal in place yet at the Titans. But the fact that McCarthy continues to earn interviews shows he has not been pushed aside. For now, he remains a serious option as the hiring process moves forward.
McCarthy was considered a leading candidate for the Titans’ opening back in December. With Harbaugh no longer in the picture, he could move back to the top of the list, depending on how his interview is received.
Tennessee has cast a wide net in its search, speaking with several experienced coaches, including former Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett and former Falcons coach Raheem Morris, as well as other candidates.
McCarthy brings nearly two decades of NFL head coaching experience. He posted a 174-112-2 record across his time in the Packers and the Cowboys, reached the playoffs 12 times, went 11-11 in postseason games, and won a Super Bowl with the Packers. But the Titans are prioritizing experience in this hiring cycle. They have either met with or scheduled interviews for at least 13 candidates who have already served as NFL head coaches.
That marks a major shift from last year. In 2024, Tennessee spoke with 10 candidates in total, and only one of them had ever held a full-time NFL head coaching job. The list of names tells the story. From McCarthy and Kevin Stefanski to Vance Joseph, Matt Nagy, and Jason Garrett, the Titans are focusing almost exclusively on coaches who have already run an NFL team.
If a candidate has been in charge before and is currently available, there is a strong chance Tennessee wants to hear from him. That’s why McCarthy is a great fit at the Titans.
