Mike McCarthy is one of the most accomplished head coaches of the 21st century, with a Super Bowl ring and nearly two decades of NFL experience leading storied franchises like the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys. With 174 wins since 2006, he trails only Bill Belichick, Andy Reid and Mike Tomlin in total victories during that span. But following his departure from Dallas after the 2024 season, McCarthy is taking a rare step back from the sidelines.
Now, as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, McCarthy is set to make a different kind of appearance — this time behind the mic. He’ll join “The Pat McAfee Show Draft Spectacular,” stepping into the spotlight in a new role just one year after Belichick did the same. It’s a unique pivot for a coach known more for play-calling than punditry.
From Sidelines to Spotlight: Tracing Mike McCarthy’s Storied Coaching Career
McCarthy began his coaching journey as a graduate assistant with the Fort Hays State Tigers, spending two seasons in the role before joining the Pittsburgh Panthers in the same position. After three seasons, he was promoted to wide receivers coach, where he spent one year before making the jump to the NFL.
McCarthy joined the Kansas City Chiefs as an offensive quality control assistant in 1993 and held the position for two years before serving as their quarterbacks coach for the next four seasons. He joined the Packers in the same role in 1999, but after just one season, he was named offensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints. After five seasons there, he took the same position with the San Francisco 49ers.
He spent just one year with the 49ers before returning to the Packers as head coach in 2006. McCarthy led Green Bay for 13 seasons, compiling a 125-77-2 record and guiding the franchise to its fourth Super Bowl title. Though he was offered the Cleveland Browns’ head coaching job in 2019, he chose to take a year away from the game.
Ahead of the 2020 season, McCarthy was hired as head coach of the Cowboys. Over five seasons, he posted a 49-35 record. But after the team failed to reach the playoffs in 2024, Dallas opted not to retain him. Now, fans are curious about his next move — and why he’s set to appear on “The Pat McAfee Show’s Draft Spectacular this week.
Why Is McCarthy on ‘The Pat McAfee Show Draft Spectacular’?
McCarthy had spent 32 consecutive seasons coaching football in some capacity before he departed from the Green Bay Packers. The 2025 season will mark only the second time in seven years that he’s not on a sideline. But he’s not stepping out of the spotlight just yet — this week, he’ll appear on “The Pat McAfee Show Draft Spectacular.”
There’s been no official explanation for his appearance, but it marks the second straight year a high-profile, recently unemployed coach has joined the program, following Belichick’s appearance in 2024. The most logical connection is McCarthy’s deep ties to the Green Bay area, where this year’s draft is being held.
The former Packers coach led the franchise to its most recent Super Bowl win and remains a beloved figure in Wisconsin. His appearance may also serve as an audition for future media opportunities should he decide to stay off the sideline in 2026.
