It's like punting on 4th and short. Even when the pace of the game suggests you should probably go for it, you won't get beat up for punting. It's safe, it's obvious, it's lazy. Fans won't criticize you too much, the media will ignore it. You took the low effort approach and NFL doctrine still says thats ok. That's what McCarthy is this coaching cycle. Nobody is going to beat you up for doing it. As soon as his name became available we should've all seen it coming.
I think he didn't draw much attention for the same reason Belichick didn't last year. I also think if the Saints were looking for a coach last year, they would been all over Belichick too. It’s punting when most other teams are trying to go for it.