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.
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; and his 2008, induction into Southwestern College's Athletic Hall of Fame. 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. 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.