Mike McCarthy (gridiron football executive)

Last updated

Michael P. McCarthy (born March 21, 1953) is a professional football executive and scout. He was born in Oneida, New York and raised in Rome, New York. McCarthy began playing football at Rome (NY) Free Academy H.S. where he earned All-State football honours and was an all-star in lacrosse and wrestling. Currently, he is a pro football player personnel consultant.

Contents

McCarthy's career highlights include; induction into the Rome Sports Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement in sports (1992); induction into the Scouts Hall of Fame; [1] and his 2008, induction into Southwestern College's Athletic Hall of Fame. [2] Other highlights include being named the youngest general manager ever to win a CFL championship when the Toronto Argonauts captured the Grey Cup in 1991; pulling off one of the largest trades in the history of professional football when he orchestrated a deal with the Edmonton Eskimos, which saw 16 players switch teams.

He has given public football seminars, "Everything You Wanted To Know About Football But Were Afraid To Ask;" has been featured in various sports media, including stories by, Stephen Brunt of The Globe and Mail, a 2003 story by Perry Lefko of The Toronto Sun where Lefko wrote about McCarthy's plans to participate in the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona Spain, and Sports Illustrated's story about the Chicago Blitz's tryout with Illinois prison inmate Mike Sifford in 1982.

McCarthy is listed in the 1997 edition of Who's Who in Canada and is co-editor of Cuts and Keeps, an annual registry of rookie and first-year pro football players. Mike is an honorary director for Sports For Kids Inc in North America. [3] Mike was appointed by the City of Hamilton, Ontario as member of the board of directors of The Canadian Football Hall of Fame and Museum in March 2011 and later named vice-chairman of the board.

College career

At Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas Mike was an all-star linebacker and led the Moundbuilders in tackles in each of his four seasons with the team. He still holds three school records for most tackles in a game (32), in a season (180)led the NAIA, and in a career (623). McCarthy was also the team's Defensive MVP and all-conference selection in both 1974 and 1975 and was a member of the track and field team where he participated in the hammer throw. He also qualified to attend the 1976 United States Olympic Trials after finishing second in the AAU Federation Wrestling Championships for the state of Kansas.

After graduating Southwestern College with a bachelor's degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation, Mike had a free-agent tryout with the Dallas Cowboys.

In the fall of 1976 McCarthy was awarded a Graduate teaching assistantship at The University of Oklahoma in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department, he served as a volunteer coach at the University of Oklahoma, and was named an assistant coach and later Head Junior Varsity Coach under Barry Switzer in January 1977. During this time, the Oklahoma Sooners made trips to the Fiesta Bowl in 1976, the Orange Bowl in 1978 and 1979, and were Big Eight Champions from 1976 to 1978. In 1979, McCarthy obtained his master's degree in educational administration from the University of Oklahoma. .

Professional career

NFL

McCarthy's extensive professional football career began as a college scout for the New England Patriots from 1979 to 1981. He worked for the Seattle Seahawks during the spring of 1982, and spent three seasons with the San Diego Chargers as a college and pro scout (2003 to 2005). McCarthy scouted players in all professional football leagues and college players across the United States and Canada. During his three seasons with the Chargers he travelled to over 150 universities, NFL, CFL and Arena games. The Chargers won the 2004 AFC Western Division championship.

USFL

After coaching at Brown University (Ivy League) in 1981 and working for the Seahawks, McCarthy moved on to be the director of player personnel for the Chicago Blitz (1982–83), the Arizona Wranglers (1983–84) and the Oakland Invaders (1984–85) of the United States Football League (USFL). From 1982 to 1984, Mike served under legendary Hall of Fame head coach, the late George Allen, going to the conference championship in 1983 and the USFL Championship game in 1984.

CFL

McCarthy's CFL (Canadian Football League) career began in 1985 when he joined the Hamiton Tiger-Cats as director of Player Personnel, and later taking on the additional role of assistant general manager in 1988. Although the majority of McCarthy's CFL career has been spent with the Tiger-Cats, he was also the vice president and general manager of the Toronto Argonauts, (1989 to 1993), Football Operations and Player Personnel for the Ottawa Rough Riders, (1994), president and CEO of the B.C. Lions, where he recruited Now Senator David Braley as the new owner of The Lions. (1996), and a scout for the Montreal Alouettes, (2008) to June 2013. Then Joining The B.C. Lions as an Eastern Scout in July 2013 to the present.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1985-1989, 1995,1996, 1997-2007)

During his first five seasons with Hamilton, the Tiger-Cats qualified for the post-season each year, playing in three Grey Cups (1985, 1986 and 1989), winning the 74th Grey Cup Championship in 1986. McCarthy was instrumental in recruiting several top players such as Most Outstanding Player nominees for the Eastern Division, wide receivers Tony Champion (1989), Earl Winfield (1988) and quarterbacks Mike Kerrigan and Ken Hobart (1985).

In 1995, he returned to Hamilton as Player Personnel Consultant and played an instrumental role in signing quarterback Matt Dunigan to the Tiger-Cats before moving on to become president and CEO of the B.C. Lions in 1996.

In 1997, McCarthy returned to the Tiger-Cats, and would remain with the organization for the next 11 seasons under varying Football Operations capacities, the latter part of his tenure in 2006–2007 as the senior advisor of football operations, responsible for day-to-day scouting activities and advising then Ticats General Manager Marcel Desjardins on player personnel matters.

McCarthy's extensive career with Hamilton has seen the Tiger-Cats make the playoffs on nine occasions, reaching the Grey Cup five times and winning it all in 1986 and most recently, the 87th Grey Cup, in 1999.

Toronto Argonauts

McCarthy's stint with the Toronto Argonauts began in November 1989 as general manager. Within a few months he added the title of vice president of football operations, assuming the duties of the club president.

While with the Argonauts McCarthy earned several distinctions. In 1990 the club set a new CFL single season scoring record with 689 points. He was instrumental in key player acquisitions such as trading 7 player to B.C. to bring Matt Dunigan to Toronto in 1990 going on to playing in the Eastern Final in Winnipeg, only to lose in the closing seconds with the Argos playing with their 5th Quarterback, due to injuries. In 1991, he acquired top ranked Notre Dame star Raghib "Rocket" Ismail, awarding him the largest contract in CFL history. The Argos would go on to capture the 79th Grey Cup championship, earning McCarthy the honour of being the youngest general manager ever to win a CFL championship with his prized acquisition, Ismail, earning the Grey Cup MVP award. In 1993, he brought Tracy Ham to Toronto when he orchestrated the largest trades in the history of professional football with the Edmonton Eskimos, which saw 16 players switch teams, 8 from each side. The disaster of the trade was also exacerbated by Ham struggling to adapt to the Run & Shoot offense. While in Toronto, McCarthy was also the team's alternate governor was on numerous league committees, and was the club's acting president.

Ottawa Rough Riders

In 1994 McCarthy moved to Ottawa and became consultant for football operations and player personnel for the Rough Riders and also served as a player personnel consultant for the AFL's (Arena Football League) Tampa Bay Storm that season.

British Columbia Lions

In 1996, McCarthy became the president and chief executive officer for the B.C. Lions. After an 0–4 start to the season under quarterback Andre Ware, McCarthy signed all-star quarterback Damon Allen to be their new starting quarterback. He would go on to play with the Lions for the next seven seasons. After undergoing an ownership change at the conclusion of the season, McCarthy left the Lions and returned to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for the next 6 seasons. Update McCarthy Rejoined the Lions as a Scout in July 2013 to cover the NFL, And continues as an Eastern Regional scout in 2014.

Montreal Alouettes

Since 2008 to present, McCarthy is currently a college and pro scout with the Montreal Alouettes. In his five seasons with Montreal they have won two Grey Cup Championships in 2009 and 2010 the ( 97th and 98th Grey Cups back to back ) Alouettes qualified for the 96th Grey Cup which they hosted, with a hard-fought loss to the Calgary Stampeders. This has marked the 4th and 5th Grey Cup victories of his career and the seventh, eight and ninth time he has been involved with a team that has reached the Grey Cup.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Flutie</span> American football player (born 1962)

Douglas Richard Flutie is an American former football quarterback who played professionally for 21 seasons. He played 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL), eight seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL), and one season in the United States Football League (USFL). Flutie played college football for the Boston College Eagles, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1984 amid a season that saw him throw the game-winning touchdown pass in the final seconds against the Miami Hurricanes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob O'Billovich</span> American gridiron football player and coach (born 1940)

Robert O'Billovich, nicknamed "Bobby O" or "Obie", is an east regional scout for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). O'Billovich has been involved with the CFL since 1963 in the roles of player, coach, general manager, scout, and several front-office positions. As a long-time coach in the CFL, he won 107 regular season games in the CFL, the eighth highest win total by a head coach in the league's history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Lancaster</span> Canadian football player and coach (1938–2008)

Ronald Lancaster was an American-Canadian professional football player and coach in the Canadian Football League (CFL). As the starting quarterback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders for 16 seasons, he led the team to its first Grey Cup championship in 1966 and is the franchise's all-time leader in passing yards, attempts, completions, touchdowns, and interceptions. At the time of his retirement, he was the CFL's career leader in passing yards and still ranks sixth overall as of 2016. After his retirement as a player, he served as a head coach and general manager in the CFL; he led his teams to two Grey Cups and currently ranks fourth all-time with 142 regular season wins. He was also a colour commentator on the CFL on CBC from 1981 to 1990. At the time of his death, he was the Senior Director of Football Operations of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He is a member of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame (1982), Canada's Sports Hall of Fame (1985) and the Wittenberg University Athletic Hall of Honour (1985).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Damon Allen</span> Canadian gridiron football player (born 1963)

Damon L. Allen is a former professional Canadian football quarterback. He played 23 years in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is currently fourth in all-time professional football passing yards and second in all-time CFL passing yards after he was surpassed for first place by the Montréal Alouettes' Anthony Calvillo on October 10, 2011. Allen retired as professional football's all-time leading passer with 72,381 passing yards after he surpassed Warren Moon's total of 70,553 yards on September 4, 2006, in the annual Labour Day Classic. He also retired in third place in all-time CFL rushing yards with 11,920 yards, behind Mike Pringle and George Reed. The 2007 season marked Allen's twenty-third season in the CFL and he officially announced his retirement on May 28, 2008, at age 44. Allen is the younger brother of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marcus Allen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike O'Shea (Canadian football)</span> Canadian Football League head coach

Michael O'Shea is the head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is a former Canadian football linebacker and former special teams coordinator of the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL from 2010 to 2013, winning the Grey Cup in 2012. O'Shea played 16 seasons in the CFL for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts from 1993 to 2008. He retired second all-time in career tackles with 1,154 and is one of only three players to record over 1,000 tackles. He won the CFL's Most Outstanding Canadian Award in 1999 after recording 84 tackles, 13 special teams tackles and three interceptions that year. O'Shea is a three-time Grey Cup champion as a player, having won all three with the Argonauts in 1996, 1997, and 2004. He is also a two-time Grey Cup winning head coach, having won with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2019 and 2021; O'Shea also won the Grey Cup previously as a special teams coach with the Toronto Argonauts in the 100th Grey Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricky Ray</span> American gridiron football player (born 1979)

Ricky Ray is an American former professional Canadian football quarterback. Ray spent the majority of his professional career with the Edmonton Eskimos and Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He also briefly spent time in the af2, as well as with the San Francisco 49ers and New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Ray is the all-time leader in passing yardage, pass completions, and passing touchdowns for both the Edmonton Elks and Toronto Argonauts. He won a Grey Cup championship four times as a starter, in 2003, 2005, 2012, and 2017.

The 2004 CFL season is considered to be the 51st season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 47th Canadian Football League season.

The 1992 CFL season is considered to be the 39th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 35th Canadian Football League season.

The 1988 CFL season is considered to be the 35th season in modern-day Canadian football, although it is officially the 31st Canadian Football League season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Dunigan</span> American football player

Matt Dunigan is an American broadcaster and former professional football player and executive. He is a Canadian Football League (CFL) sportscaster for Canadian sports television channel TSN. Dunigan is a former quarterback, coach, and executive in the CFL. In 2006, Dunigan joined the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, and was voted one of the CFL's Top 50 players (#39) of the league's modern era by Canadian sports network TSN.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny McManus</span> American gridiron football player (born 1965)

Danny McManus is a former professional American football and Canadian football quarterback who passed for over 53,000 yards in seventeen seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He currently serves as the assistant general manager and director for U.S. scouting for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He played every season in the league from 1990 to 2006, as a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, BC Lions, Edmonton Eskimos, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and finally with the Calgary Stampeders. As of 2007, his all-time CFL passing yardage is third most next to Damon Allen and Anthony Calvillo. He worked as a color commentator for TSN's CFL broadcasts, having previously appeared as a guest analyst on the CFL on CBC late in his playing career. On December 2, 2013, he was named the assistant general manager and director of U.S. scouting for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Previous to that, he served as the director of scouting for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Tyrone Robert Williams is a Canadian former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He also was a member of the Calgary Stampeders and Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is the first player to win a Vanier Cup, a Super Bowl and a Grey Cup. He played university football at the University of Western Ontario.

Orlondo Steinauer is the president of football operations for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League (CFL). As a player, he played professional Canadian football as a safety for 13 seasons with the Ottawa Rough Riders, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts from 1996 to 2008. He finished his career second all-time in CFL history for interception return yards with 1178 yards. Steinauer was a two-time Grey Cup champion as a player after winning in 1999 with the Tiger-Cats and in 2004 with the Argonauts. He has also won a championship as a coach, winning the 100th Grey Cup as the defensive backs coach for the Toronto Argonauts in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">74th Grey Cup</span> 1986 Canadian Football championship game

The 74th Grey Cup was the 1986 Canadian Football League championship game that was played at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Edmonton Eskimos. The Tiger-Cats unexpectedly dominated the Eskimos 39–15.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Eiben</span> Canadian gridiron football player and coach (born 1979)

Kevin Eiben is a former professional Canadian football linebacker who is currently the defensive co-coordinator and linebackers coach for the Toronto Argonauts and of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted 26th overall by the Argonauts in the 2001 CFL Draft and spent the first 11 years of his playing career with the team, followed by one season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He played college football for the Bucknell Bison.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Kerrigan</span> American gridiron football player and coach (born 1960)

Michael Joseph Kerrigan is an American former professional gridiron football quarterback.

Marv Allemang is a former professional Canadian football offensive lineman and defensive lineman who played 14 seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL). He most notably played center for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Ottawa Rough Riders later in his career.

The 2011 CFL season was the 58th season of modern-day Canadian football. Officially, it was the 54th season of the Canadian Football League. The complete schedule was released on February 18 and featured the defending Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes opening the season against the visiting BC Lions on Thursday, June 30, 2011. The season was among the most notable in the modern era for the competitiveness of the teams; going into the final week, five teams were tied for first place in the league, a first in modern CFL history. It was also the first time since 1982 that all teams finished with fewer than 12 wins in the regular season. As well, for the first time since 1950, the start of the modern era, all four teams competing in the division finals were different from the four teams that had competed in the division finals the previous year. Newly renovated BC Place Stadium in Vancouver hosted the 99th Grey Cup on November 27, with the hometown Lions defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 34–23 in front of a sold-out crowd.

Paul Clatney is a former Canadian football linebacker/defensive back who played six seasons in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Calgary Stampeders, Ottawa Rough Riders and Toronto Argonauts. He was drafted by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the eighth round of the 1986 CFL Draft and spent parts of 2 seasons (1986–87) on their practise roster. He played CIS football at McMaster University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tommy Condell</span> Professional Canadian football coach

Thomas Condell is a professional Canadian football coach who is the offensive coordinator for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He is a Grey Cup champion having won as an assistant coach with the Toronto Argonauts in 2017. He played college football as a wide receiver for the Lock Haven Bald Eagles and Cortland Red Dragons.

References

  1. ↑ Scouts Hall of Fame
  2. ↑ Southwestern College Alumni And Friends Athletic Hall of Fame Archived 2012-08-05 at archive.today
  3. ↑ "Sports For Kids Inc". Archived from the original on April 18, 2010. Retrieved April 12, 2010.

Interviews and news

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.