Parcells calls it a career; Jones looking for 7th Cowboys coach

IRVING, Texas (AP) _ When Bill Parcells decided to work for Jerry Jones, observers wondered how long their egos could coexist. <br/><br/>Four years later, both emerged unscathed _ and unfulfilled. <br/><br/>While

Monday, January 22nd 2007, 11:08 am

By: News On 6

IRVING, Texas (AP) _ When Bill Parcells decided to work for Jerry Jones, observers wondered how long their egos could coexist.

Four years later, both emerged unscathed _ and unfulfilled.

While their working partnership never had any public blowups, they failed in their bid to make the Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl champions again.

They didn't even win a playoff game.

The experiment ended Monday with Parcells retiring. He'll be 66 this preseason and decided that after 19 years in the NFL, he'd had enough, especially after the exhausting way this past season ended.

The Cowboys were 8-4 and holding a two-game lead in the NFC East when the bottom fell out. They lost four of their last five, including the final three, culminating with a playoff loss in Seattle that was decided when Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo botched the hold of a short field goal with a little more than a minute left.

``I am in good health and feel lucky to have been able to coach in the NFL for an extended period of time,'' Parcells said in a statement. ``I leave the game and the NFL with nothing but good feelings and gratitude to all the players, coaches and other people that have assisted me in that regard.''

Jones also released a statement, opening it with a reference to him and Parcells avoiding the bitter divorce he and his first coach, Jimmy Johnson, had in 1993.

``I'd first like to say that my respect and appreciation for Bill Parcells has only grown since the first day he joined the Dallas Cowboys,'' Jones said. ``Our relationship, both on the professional and personal levels, is something that I am grateful for and something that will continue on into the future. It is a relationship that was structured around the fundamental element of applying all of our joint resources, energy and efforts into winning and being successful in every aspect of the organization.''

Now what?

Jones will hire the seventh coach in team history and he'll either lead the team to a Super Bowl title like Tom Landry, Johnson and even Barry Switzer _ or he won't, like Parcells and his two predecessors, Chan Gailey and Dave Campo.

Actually, Dallas' first priority will be winning a playoff game, something that hasn't happened since 1996.

Parcells got the Cowboys close, lifting them from 5-11 to the playoffs in his first year. After missing out the last two seasons, the emergence of Romo had the club rolling _ and the coach fired up _ until their flameout finish.

``I want to thank Jerry Jones and (team vice president) Stephen Jones for their tremendous support over the last four years,'' Parcells said. ``Also, the players, my coaching staff and others in the support group who have done so much to help. Dallas is a great city and the Cowboys are an integral part of it. I am hopeful that they are able to go forward from here.''

Known for a gruff demeanor and colorful quotes, Parcells leaves with the ninth-most wins in NFL history and a career record of 183-138-1. He won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants, got to another with the New England Patriots and led the New York Jets to the AFC championship game.

Parcells was 34-32 in Dallas, counting two playoff losses. He had one year left at more than $5 million on a contract extension signed last January.

``He's meant so much to, not only the Cowboys and Giants and Patriots and Jets, teams that he coached, but for the NFL in general,'' Bears coach Lovie Smith said. ``His teams have always played at a certain level so we're losing one of our all-time great coaches. For him, though, I think it's always good when you see a football coach that decides that he's had enough, a guy that goes out on his own terms, and guys like Bill Parcells should get an opportunity to do that.''

Parcells isn't exactly rushing out the door.

``Bill will continue to come to work here at Valley Ranch throughout at least the end of this week, and we will continue to meet and address the present status of our team while also discussing the future,'' Jones said. ``Clearly, we wanted Bill to return for next season, but I am completely understanding and respectful of his decision to retire from coaching.''

A team spokesman said Jones and Parcells will discuss various aspects of the organization _ though not necessarily the person Parcells thinks should take his place.

Parcells spent 15 days since the Seattle game deciding what to do. During that time, four other teams picked new coaches and a fifth, Oakland, ended its search Monday night.

Jones has given no indication of what kind of coach he'd hire next. In his statement, there was only one hint: ``Bill's coaching the Cowboys represented a willingness to embrace a different philosophy and approach toward winning. This experience will reinforce that willingness to be flexible.''

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

Or, maybe Jones will 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.

The next coach will have to deal with Jones as general manager. And he'll face a decision of what to do about receiver Terrell Owens, who is due a roster bonus in March.

T.O. certainly isn't the Big Tuna's problem any more.

Parcells has retired and insisted he's done for good only to return several times before. However, this time, he's older, was well-paid by Jones and has a new home in Saratoga, N.Y.

Even if this really is it, his influence on the game 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.

``We're going to miss Bill Parcells on the sideline and we'll miss him in the NFC East,'' Coughlin said. ``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.''