D.J. McCarthy begins his second season as the wide receivers coach at UCF.
In his first season with the Golden Knights, McCarthy tutored a group of wide outs that included Tavaris Capers, who finished ranked in the top 10 in UCF history in career touchdown receptions. McCarthy also assisted in the development of Luther Huggins, who led the team with 42 receptions for 585 yards for the first time in his career. Capers inked a free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers while Huggins signed a free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins following his career in Orlando.
Before arriving at UCF, McCarthy was the receivers coach at Nevada since 2000, and was instrumental in the development of record-setting receiver Nate Burelson, who led the nation in receptions in 2002 with 138 catches. Burelson set numerous Nevada and Western Athletic Conference records, including receptions in a game with 19 and receiving yardage in a game with 326.
Three of McCarthy[apos]s wide receivers at Nevada joined the NFL ranks following their careers with the Wolf Pack. Burelson was a third round pick of the Minnesota Vikings while Murice Mann was a fifth round selection of the Cincinnati Bengals and Willie Johnson signed free agent contract with the Miami Dolphins.
McCarthy graduated from the University of Washington in 1994, where he played receiver for the Huskies. He was a member of the 1991 National Championship team at UW and was part of two Rose Bowl teams. McCarthy was second on the team in touchdown receptions his senior season.
Following Washington, McCarthy spent parts of four seasons in the Arena Football League.
He then began his coaching career at his alma mater, Boca Raton High School, where he spent two years. Before moving into the college ranks at West Hills Community College in California, McCarthy coached former UCF receiver Tavirus Davis while he was at Fort Lauderdale High School.
Prior to joining the staff at Nevada, McCarthy spent two years as a coaches[apos] assistant in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders. He got his start in the NFL as an intern with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1998.
McCarthy and his wife Trisha have two sons, Guy and Nathan.