If you are a fan of college football or the NFL, you might have wondered if there is any family relation between J.J. McCarthy, the star quarterback of the Michigan Wolverines, and Mike McCarthy, the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. The answer is no, they are not related by blood or marriage. However, they do share some common traits and experiences that make them stand out in their respective fields.
Who is J.J. McCarthy?
J.J. McCarthy is a sophomore quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines, who led his team to an undefeated regular season and a berth in the College Football Playoff in 2022. He was named second-team All-Big Ten and finished with 2,719 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also rushed for four touchdowns and showed remarkable poise and accuracy in big games.
McCarthy was born on January 20, 2003, in La Grange Park, Illinois. He attended Nazareth Academy for high school, where he won two state championships and was rated as one of the top quarterback recruits in the nation. He transferred to IMG Academy in Florida for his senior year after the COVID-19 pandemic canceled his high school season in Illinois. He committed to Michigan in May 2019 and enrolled in January 2021.
McCarthy is the son of Megan and Jim McCarthy, who have supported him throughout his football journey. He has two siblings, a brother named Aidan and a sister named Keira. His family has been by his side as he rose to the starting role at Michigan and became one of the most exciting players in college football.
Who is Mike McCarthy?
Mike McCarthy is a veteran NFL coach who is currently the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. He has been coaching in the league since 1993, when he joined the Kansas City Chiefs as an offensive quality control assistant. He later became the quarterbacks coach for the Chiefs, the Green Bay Packers, and the New Orleans Saints. He also served as the offensive coordinator for the Saints and the San Francisco 49ers.
McCarthy was hired as the head coach of the Packers in 2006 and led them to nine playoff appearances, six division titles, four NFC Championship games, and a Super Bowl victory over his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers in 2011. He was named Maxwell Football Club NFL Coach of the Year that same year. He compiled a regular season record of 125-77-2 with the Packers before being fired in 2018.
McCarthy took a year off from coaching in 2019 and studied new trends and innovations in football. He was hired by the Cowboys in 2020 and has guided them to a 10-4 record so far in 2021, clinching their first NFC East title since 2018.
McCarthy was born on November 10, 1963, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He attended Bishop Boyle High School and played tight end at Scottsdale Community College and Baker University. He is married to Jessica Kress and has five children: Alexandra, Jack, George, Gabrielle, and Isabella.
What do they have in common?
Despite not being related, J.J. McCarthy and Mike McCarthy have some similarities that make them successful at their respective levels of football.
– They both have Irish ancestry and grew up in blue-collar neighborhoods.
– They both played quarterback in high school and college.
– They both have strong work ethics and leadership skills.
– They both have innovative offensive minds and adapt to their personnel.
– They both have won championships and earned accolades for their performances.
Conclusion
J.J. McCarthy and Mike McCarthy are not related by blood or marriage, but they are both outstanding football figures who have made their mark on their teams and fans. They share some common traits and experiences