Mike McCarthy: Green Bay Packers Coach Should Be 2011 NFL Coach of the Year

Donald Miralle/Getty Images

Mike McCarthy should have won the Coach of the Year Award last year if it's really based on what he could do with the talent at his disposal.

With 16 players on the IR, who would have imagined that the Green Bay Packers could win the Super Bowl?

Well, it's a new season and the Pack is still unbeaten under the leadership of their effective head coach. Here are a few reasons why Mike McCarthy should be Coach of the Year in 2011.

He Knows How To Shake Hands

Leon Halip/Getty Images

Sure, Jim Harbaugh is having a great rookie season with San Francisco and has his team sitting pretty at 7-1, but he's just a bit too excitable for the Coach of the Year Award just yet.

He can't even shake hands properly after a big win. Who knows what he would do if he won the award?

Jim Schwartz is even having a good year with the Lions, but the fact is that Mike McCarthy knows how to handle success and keep it cool. He doesn't do stupid things to embarrass his team and he's respected by his players.

He's Won 14 Straight

Matt Ludtke/Getty Images

McCarthy has broken a record set by the greatest football coach of all time, Vince Lombardi. With 14 consecutive victories, the Packers' streak is the longest in franchise history.

He obviously knows how to win games and that's what coaching is all about in the NFL. He also isn't as poor a play-caller as some fans would like to think.

He's Kept His Team Focused

Donald Miralle/Getty Images

It's easy to get complacent when you haven't lost a game for months, yet nobody in Green Bay is talking about an undefeated season or a repeat just yet.

McCarthy has his team taking one game at a time and it's working out well for them so far.

If the Packers are to win the big one again, focus is vital.