New Orleans Saints
In 2000, McCarthy was hired as the offensive coordinator for the
New Orleans Saints.
[21] That year, the Saints achieved a 10–6 regular season record,
[22] then won their first playoff game in the franchise's history and finished 10th overall in offense.
[23] McCarthy was selected as
National Football Conference (NFC) Assistant Coach of the Year by
USA Today in 2000.
[23]
The Saints failed to make the playoffs over the next three years. In 2002 the Saints led the NFC in scoring, with 49 touchdowns and 432 points, but slowed down at the end of the season. In 2003, the Saints scored 340 points—their eighth highest-scoring season ever. All of McCarthy's four years with the Saints rank in the team's top 10 years for offense.
[18]
While McCarthy was with the team, the Saints’ offense set 25 individual and 10 team records.
Joe Horn caught 45 touchdowns and 437 passes for 6,289 yards.
[18] During McCarthy's time with the team, running backs
Ricky Williams and
Deuce McCallister both had a 1,000-yard season.
[18] In his first two years, running back Ricky Williams would run for 2,245 yards with 14 touchdowns.
[24] McCarthy stayed with the team for five seasons through 2004.
[23]