Mike McCarthy, the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, has one of the most prominent positions in sports. Despite this, he has managed to keep his family out of the public eye since moving to North Texas from Green Bay.
Jessica, McCarthy’s wife, played a pivotal role in the family’s relocation and successful transition to a new team and lifestyle. She discussed the relocation and how the family established themselves in Dallas-Fort Worth for the first time.
Artists at work in the historic Cotton Mill in McKinney. Jessica McCarthy is one among them.
“I’m proud of my husband, but it’s not something I announce,” Jessica remarked.
This is a far cry from her hometown of Green Bay, Wisconsin, where the former art teacher thrives on creative collaboration.
“The University of Wisconsin is where I attended college,” Jessica remarked.
Having been a lifelong supporter of the Packers, she claimed that Texas seemed like such a shift when the Dallas Cowboys called her in 2020.
“I was delighted for him. That was how I initially responded. It made me very glad to see him happy and thrilled. He is passionate about that. Then, though, the wheels began to turn, as in, “Oh my god.” Let’s just take each day as it comes,” Jessica remarked.
In the summer of 2021, the couple and two of their five children, middle schoolers Gabbie and Izzie, relocated to North Texas.
“I was most worried about that. They’d been with the same students, in the same school, with the same family, and middle school is a difficult time to be growing and figuring things out,” Jessica remarked. “But this is their home now, and they have really embraced it, and they’ve made some really good friends, and they couldn’t be better.”
Jessica reported that her daughters had even begun to address each other as “y’all” as they adjust to life in Texas.
Yes, that is now their thing. Their social life is busier than mine, and it is much busier. Thus, I’m delighted for them,” Jessica remarked.
Coach Mike McCarthy spends a large portion of the summer away from the rigors of football season spending time with his family. He finds calm beside the lake, according to Jessica.
“Mike is content there. The boat and the lake. simply being present for everyone. He is a true family man. He’s a teddy bear and humorous. He recently revealed a golden heart. He enjoys spending time with the kids and watching movies. Even after a loss, he never talks (about work) and just enjoys spending time with everyone when he is at home. He never says anything bad,” Jessica stated.
The coach acknowledged the distinction between “Boat Mike” and “Football Mike.”
“There’s no doubt in my mind that it must be. “There’s no way we could accomplish much if ‘Boat Mike’ coached football,” Mike chuckled.
Alex, Jack, George, Gabbie, and Izzie are all shared by the couple. Football is family, but being a father comes first, according to Coach McCarthy.
“First and foremost, it’s family. Family and football are important to me, and I coach our football squad in the same manner that I was raised. You should never forget it, in my opinion,” Mike remarked. “Daddys and girls. I am well aware of how crucial that is. That’s something I’m really interested in because those young women need that relationship to succeed as adults.”
On game days, the whole family gathers to watch together on the home field.
“I offer a lot of prayers. Even while we’re winning, I still pray because I’m thankful for our victory. I pace,” stated Jessica.
Before every game, the head coach has another ritual.
“I always call my parents before I go out, pregame, and then I always call Jess and the girls after pregame,” Mike stated. Kind of like on a clock. We’ve just kind of always done things that way. Before you start, the voice is pleasant and serene.”
Jessica emphasizes how important this call is.
“He just tells us he loves us, and we give him our words of support, and hopefully it works out,” said Jessica.
The McCarthys declared that they are a team, win or lose.
“There’s a reason we’re here. I really do think that. Being able to lead the Dallas Cowboys as head coach “speaks volumes about the blessings in our lives,” Mike remarked.
“I never would have imagined that, of all places, we would wind up in Texas. But my goodness, our family has found it to be a beautiful thing. Being here makes me very happy,” Jessica remarked.
