3 Adjustments Mike McCarthy Must Make to Coaching Style Before Leading Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys made a long overdue coaching change this offseason when they appointed former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy to the same position.

While the former Super Bowl champ figures to be a significant upgrade over Jason Garrett, there's no denying that he has some imperfections to overcome. In order for McCarthy to succeed in his first season in Dallas, he needs to make these three important adjustments.

3. Change His Conservative Play-Calling

Mike McCarthy was alarmingly conservative during his stint in Green Bay. / Leon Halip/Getty Images

Since being hired by Dallas, McCarthy has openly stated his plan to blend analytics into his coaching blueprint. That will be a needed change from Garrett's notoriously conservative style, but it's definitely justifiable to be skeptical of McCarthy until he proves he's changed in that department. It's anyone's guess as to what will happen in the heat of the moment. The Cowboys have the potential to enjoy a bounce-back season in 2020, but not if their new HC relapses and becomes a stubborn play-caller again.

2. Commit to Running the Football

Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott / Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

Back in Green Bay, McCarthy was famous for his unwillingness to optimize his running backs. Despite a remarkable campaign from quarterback Dak Prescott last year, Dallas is undoubtedly still built to win by running the rock behind its elite offensive line. Yes, we say that despite the untimely retirement of Pro Bowl center Travis Frederick this offseason. Lord help the sanity of Cowboys fans if star tailback Ezekiel Elliott isn't peppered with carries in 2020 while accounting for a $10.9 million hit against the salary cap. Only time will tell if tigers can, in fact, change their stripes.

1. Remain Creative Amid Adversity

Former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy consulting quarterback Aaron Rodgers. / Joe Robbins/Getty Images

It's duly noted that Aaron Rodgers isn't the easiest superstar to get along with, but it's also foolish to assume his falling out with McCarthy fell solely on his shoulders. Most of their tension stemmed from the latter's failure to be innovative in suboptimal conditions. The best offenses maintain their resourcefulness when things aren't going according to plan. The Cowboys' offense has the talent to be one of the most efficient in the NFL, but that won't happen if McCarthy doesn't hold serve amid adversity.