McCarthy finishes second in AP COY voting

In any other year, he would have won it. If a certain team with a certain quarterback and certain wide receiver didn't happen to go 16-0, Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy would by walking away with the AP Coach of the Year Award. Instead, McCarthy finished second, gathering 15 of 50 votes. Belichick won with 29 votes.

McCarthy has spearheaded a Packer revival after taking over for the fired Mike Sherman after a 2005 season in which the Packers were 4-12. In his first season in 2006, McCarthy lead the Packers to an 8-8 record and four-straight wins to end the season, with much of the momentum carrying in to this season. The Packers started 4-0 on their way to a 13-3 finish.

Also getting votes were Wade Phillips, Jack Del Rio, Tony Dungy, and John Gruden.

Although McCarty did not walk away with the AP Coach of the Year Award, he still won the Coach of the Year Award, as voted on by NFL Alumni. McCarthy said of the Don Shula Coach of the Year Award, "I'm thrilled to be recognized by the NFL Alumni Association."

Can anyone see any irony here? McCarthy wins the award named after Don Shula while Belichick doesn't, despite leading the Patriots to an undefeated season. Hmm.