Mike McCarthy is the current coach for the Green Bay Packers. He was born in 1962 and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, and raised to be a Steelers fan by his father. McCarthy attended Baker University, in Kansas, where he played tight end, though he never played football professionally. His first coaching job was a graduate assistant for Fort Hayes State in 1987 to 1988. From there he returned home to Pittsburgh where he was hired to work under Paul Hacket as the quarterbacks coach. He worked directly as the coach for three seasons before moving over to coach the wide receivers. However, this was not enough to support him, so he was also working for the Pennsylvania Turnpike in hopes of supplementing his income.
McCarthy started working for the Kansas City Chiefs, as the offensive quality control assistant. After two years he became their quarterbacks coach, overseeing great quarter backs such as Steve Bono. In the 1999 season he moved to the Green Bay Packers, as a quarterbacks coach, and worked with Brett Farve. In the same season Farve threw for his fourth best year totaling 4,091 yards. However, the Packers released him at the end of the season.
In 2000 McCarthy went to the New Orleans Saints, and became their offensive coordinator. He would remain in this position for five years where in 2000, USA Today would name him “NFC Assistant Coach of the Year.” In 2005, he went to the San Francisco 49ers and served as the offensive coordinator, however his team riddled with injuries, and led by a rookie quarterback, would finish in last place in points and yardage.
In 2006 McCarthy headed back to Green Bay, and interviewed with Ted Thompson, the General Manager, and within three days he became the new head coach of the Packers. That year the packers started off with a 4-8 record, but ended with 8-8 just missing the playoffs. This would mark the second season where they came close but were unable to make it.
McCarthy achieved his best regular season record in 2007 with the Packers as they obtained a 13-3 record. He was also able to obtain and hold the record for the best coaching start in Packers history, beating out Vince Lombardi’s record of 15-10 and tying the record of Joe Gibbs. That same year McCarthy led the Packers to the NFC Championship, though they lost to the soon to be Super Bowl winners, the New York Giants. He finished in second place, behind the Patriots Bill Belichick, that year for The Associated Press Coach of The Year award. Green Bay extended his contract by five years and he also earned himself a raise, thus bringing his salary to 3.4 million a year.
From 2008 started the rumors of Bret Farve coming out of retirement, and controversy started among the coaches, McCarthy included, and the GM Thompson. Ultimately the decision was made to trade Farve, and to start the young Aaron Rodgers. The season ended up being McCarthy’s worst to date with the Packers, ending in 6-10 record, finishing 3rd in the NFC North. The Packers did not make the playoffs that season. His 2009 season would see a vast improvement, ending the season with an 11-5, and obtaining a wild card slot. However, they lost the wild card game to the Arizona Cardinals.
In 2010, McCarthy led the Packers through a whirlwind season with a 10-6 regular season record, but never loosing a game by more than four points, and finishing second in the NFC North. His Packers were the underdogs in every playoff game, and one by one under his superior coaching, they defeated better ranked teams thus earning their spot in Super Bowl XLV. With being only the second time in history facing the Pittsburgh Steelers in post season, Green Bay defeated them with a score of 31-25 marking their fourth Superbowl victory.
With the 2011 season already underway the Packers are playing as if they never stopped. With a 5-0 record, and only loosing one game in preseason, it appears as if they may be contenders yet again. Fans have certainly jumped on the band wagon and purchased their Packers tickets for the next game. If the way the team is performing is any indication of how McCarthy feels about his team’s future than, one can only assume he feels they are in for another great year..
