Minute-by-minute, story-by-story, we will report on what's going on here inside The Star and around the NFL in our Cowboys Coaching Carousel.

The New England Patriots have hired Mike Vrabel as their next head coach. The team announced the hiring Sunday morning. It comes a week after Patriots owner Robert Kraft fired Jerod Mayo after the team’s season finale victory over the Buffalo Bills to finish 4-13 in his lone season as coach.

Mike Vrabel made a triumphant return to New England as head coach of the Patriots on Monday. A former linebacker and Super Bowl champion under Bill Belichick, Vrabel said he felt the move back to Foxborough, Mass., was right "in his soul." Vrabel previously coached the Tennessee Titans and spent last season as a consultant for the Cleveland Browns.

According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, "Sources: Mike McCarthy is out as #Cowboys coach. The sides couldn't agree on length of contract and McCarthy will pursue other opportunities. He leaves Dallas with a winning record and three playoff appearances."

The Cowboys have denied the Bears' request to interview MIke McCarthy for their head coaching vacancy. What comes next?

The Dallas Cowboys' job is both alluring and challenging thanks to several unique factors. But where does the position rank among the NFL's best?

Mike Vrabel might be the best candidate for what Michael Irvin believes the Cowboys need. Discipline. Vrabel is a no-nonsense type of coach who played for Bill Belichick in New England for the bulk of his career. Vrabel had success in Tennessee as head coach with four consecutive winning seasons and an AFC title game appearance.

DALLAS — Mike McCarthy is not expected to return as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, WFAA has confirmed Monday. ESPN insider Adam Schefter first reported that McCarthy and the Cowboys "engaged in no discussions about a new deal" and that McCarthy is now expected to be a candidate for the open coaching positions in New Orleans and Chicago.

Multiple reports indicated the Cowboys and McCarthy broke off contract talks on Monday because they couldn't agree on the length of a new deal. McCarthy's contract ended at the end of the season with Dallas holding exclusive negotiating rights until midnight on Jan. 14.

Dallas' exclusive negotiating window with McCarthy runs until Jan. 14. Will Jerry Jones let him interview elsewhere or extend his deal?

The New England Patriots have reportedly hired Mike Vrabel to be the team's next head coach, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, though they weren't the