Parcells retires from coaching (2024)

Jones could go for a proven commodity like Bill Cowher, recently resigned from Pittsburgh, but he would require compensation to the Steelers and a massive salary. He
might also chase a big-name college coach, from Notre Dame's
Charlie Weis or Oklahoma's Bob Stoops to Southern California's Pete
Carroll, who replaced Parcells in New England a decade ago.

The Tennessee Titans made it known Monday night that the Cowboys
would not be allowed to talk with their coach, Jeff Fisher.

"Dallas has not requested permission to speak to Coach Fisher
and in the event they did, there are no circ*mstances under which
permission would be granted," Tennessee chief operating office
Steve Underwood told The Tennessean in Nashville on Monday night.

Jones also might pursue Chicago defensive coordinator Ron
Rivera, or former NFL coaches like San Diego defensive coordinator
Wade Phillips or San Francisco offensive coordinator Norv Turner.
Turner would be a popular choice locally; he called plays for
Dallas' Super Bowl team in 1992 and remains close to Troy Aikman.

All candidates will have to accept Jones being the general
manager. That might have driven away others before, but four years
of avoiding ego clashes with Parcells likely has changed his
reputation.

The next coach also will face a decision of what to do about
Owens, who is due a roster bonus in March. T.O.
certainly isn't Parcells' problem any more. Owens got in his parting shots, though.

"You don't know who is doing what," Owens told the Star-Telegram. "You don't know who is calling plays. That is why our offense was up and down. You saw that at the end of the year. It filtered off. We as a team felt the frustration. I felt the frustration. But Bill is Bill."

The first time Parcells walked away from coaching, his heart was
an issue. The next time he supposedly was content that coaching was
out of his system.

He turned down several chances to return before accepting Jones'
offer. He said he took it because he liked the challenge of trying
to make the Cowboys champions again, comparing it to playing on the
main stage instead of being a lounge act.

After four well-paid years, Parcells could be serious about
retiring this time. He's already built a home in Saratoga, N.Y., to
spend his post-football days near his family and the racetrack.

Parcells' influence will remain because of all the coaches who
worked for him, from three-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick
of New England to New Orleans' Sean Payton, this past season's
coach of the year. Tom Coughlin of the Giants and Romeo Crennel of
Cleveland also paid their dues under Parcells.

"Bill's an excellent football coach and a very good friend,"
Coughlin said. "We're going to miss Bill Parcells on the sideline
and we'll miss him in the NFC East. I look forward to the
continuation of our friendship at a different level now. I think
Bill's looking forward to having the opportunity to do some of the
things he truly wants to do. I wish him well."

Parcells' specialty in football was defense. His greatest trait
as a coach, though, was his ability to turn around downtrodden
clubs.

All four teams he coached had losing records before he arrived,
but all four were in the playoffs by his second season. No other
coach has taken that many franchises to the postseason.

The entire sports world was taken by surprise by Parcells' move.

LeBron James, an avowed Cowboys fan, was sorry to hear that Parcells retired. "It's disappointing," he said. "I know what he brought to that franchise, and we probably won't be able to get anyone on his level."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.