More coaching candidates and other Parcells stuff

by Dave Halprin on Jan 22, 2007 6:49 PM CST in Dallas Cowboys News

The DMN blog suggests another coaching candidate.

Ex-Broncos, Giants and Falcons head coach Dan Reeves, a running back and assistant coach under Tom Landry, recently expressed interest in returning to coaching.

Not sure if the 63-year-old Reeves, who was fired by the Falcons in 2003, would be a good fit. But I guarantee you the man would be motivated. He basically said he's sick of running errands for his wife and wants to get the heck out of the house.

Here are some other additional candidates suggested by John Clayton. I've added my comments after each name.

Mike Martz, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator: I'm not a fan of passing all the time, Martz is better suited as a coordinator with a head coach that can modify his pass-happy tendencies.

Jim Mora, Seattle Seahawks assistant head coach: Didn't handle the situation in Atlanta all that well, probably needs to work his way back up.

Jim Caldwell, Indianapolis Colts assistant head coach: Just don't know enough about him.

Mike Zimmer, Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator: Umm...I just don't see it.

Mike Sherman, Houston Texans offensive coordinator: Interesting, I would have to research his coaching more.

For kicks, let's add another suggestion I've heard:

Jimmy Johnson Umm...yes. Enough said.

Check it out, Bill is going to work at Valley Ranch all week helping out with the team.

Cowboys P.R. director Rich Dalrymple just informed the beat scribes that Parcells will report to work at least through the week. He'll meet with Jerry to evaluate team personnel, including assistant coaches, and discuss free agency.

Parcells, however, has apparently done his last Valley Ranch press conference.

"Bill does not intend to do anything other than the statement," Dalrymple said.

That sounds to me like it was an amicable departure. Ed Werder said it went down this way. Parcells and Jerry were planning to fly to Mobile on Jones' jet today. But around 9:45 this morning, Parcells went into Jones' office and handed him his resignation, then they talked for 15 minutes or so. Parcells then assembled his coaches and told them he was leaving.

Peter King has an article with his thoughts and quotes from Parcells.

"Maybe,'' [Parcells] said. "You know, football's a powerful mistress, but the commitment is ... Well, it's a lot. Can you give what you know it'll take for 12 months? That's the question. These January-to-January deals are a pretty big undertaking. We'll see. But I don't think there'll be any shame if I say I can't do it anymore.''

[snip]

"It's time,'' [Parcells] said Monday afternoon from his office at Valley Ranch. "It's a young man's game. I'm in good health, but it's time to give someone else a chance. I'm looking forward to whatever life has in store for me, and right now I have no idea what that is.''

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No to Dan Reeves

At his age and with his health issues, I think the stress of being the head coach of the dallas Cowboys at his age is a recipe for success, he's in the same type of mold as Bill, too much of the old ways, that doesn't seem to work well in todays more open type pass offense.

by Deke on Jan 22, 2007 7:06 PM CST reply actions

Greg Ellis quote

"It's his life and if it was making him so unhappy he needs to step down. And obviously that was the case. He just felt it was time for him to move on and that's what he did." -- linebacker Greg Ellis

From this article on Yahoo! news.

Some resentment there from Greg, but I agree. If he quit now, that probably means it's been on his mind for a while, and he might not have been totally there in 2006.

by alienate on Jan 22, 2007 7:55 PM CST reply actions

I listened to the Ellis interview this morning

it didn't come off as resentful, just a little bewildered. I think he was just sad and a little surprised.

by dunkman on Jan 23, 2007 6:54 AM CST up reply actions

Brett Favre for player/coach!

Hire Brett Favre for head coach/backup QB. Ask Tony Romo for more Favre impersonations!

Texas slang in a Big Apple minute, by a friendly OED consultant. http://www.barrypopik.com

by barrypopik on Jan 22, 2007 8:21 PM CST reply actions

i was waiting fot terry

to suggest romo as player coach

by 325424 on Jan 23, 2007 12:38 AM CST up reply actions

Adam Schefter

says this:

Jones is expected to conduct an exhaustive, comprehensive coaching search that could wind up bringing the dynamic duo of Chargers defensive coordinator Wade Phillips and former Cowboys quarterback Jason Garrett to Dallas, NFL sources said Monday.

Of the many ideas Jones is considering -- and he will stop at nothing to ensure the continued success of his franchise -- one is hiring Phillips as his head coach and Garrett as his offensive coordinator/head-coach-in training.

Norv Turner name is getting a lot of attention too. Not sure how I feel about Turner....

http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/9947899

by Philosopher on Jan 22, 2007 9:56 PM CST reply actions

I like the Phillips/Garrett combo idea

Phillips could get our defense to the next level, while Garrett could help Romo continue with his development and evetually become HC. I see him like a Sean Payton type only better since he has NFL playing experience. The guy is a Princeton grad, highly intelligent.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jan 23, 2007 7:35 AM CST up reply actions

Payton played pro

well, semi-pro and about three games as a "replacement player". But he was always an exceptional student of the game. I know Garrett is bright, but how has he done in coaching?

by dunkman on Jan 23, 2007 8:36 AM CST up reply actions

Funny

In the pre-game build up for Bears Saints, they had a big feature on Payton (Sean that is) and it showed him in HS, Div 1A, AFL then as a scab in Chicago. The hilarious part was the highlight reel play was a wobbly pass to a WR down the sideline. If you replayed it slowly it looked like the WR dropped the ball as he went down. When your sportscenter moment was a wobbly dropped pass as a scab things weren't that great

by 325424 on Jan 23, 2007 10:04 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah

that was not a pass for the ages. On the other hand he held all of E. Illinois QB records until a kid named Romo played there...

They have run some great pieces on Payton, how he knew every position for every play and WHY they were there by design. Sounds like he was always cut out for coaching.

by dunkman on Jan 23, 2007 10:09 AM CST up reply actions

Yes to Pete Carroll or Jimmy Johnson

They are winners. Carroll actually didn't do so badly when he coached at NE. They went to the playoffs that year.

JJ needs no comment.

Steve

by acacia32 on Jan 23, 2007 7:44 AM CST reply actions

Carroll

would be great with the right DC.

by dunkman on Jan 23, 2007 8:39 AM CST up reply actions

Pete Carroll - no shot

Jones could give him the money he wants, but you know what Carroll would want more than anything? Complete and total control over the organization. He'd have to have final say on all player personnel decisions and assistant coach hiring. He would be the head coach and GM. Does anyone see Jerry Jones giving anyone that kind of control to any coach?

Bleeding Green Nation Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Jan 23, 2007 8:57 AM CST up reply actions

That's probably true

and no, very few teams are giving coaches that much control, least of all Jerry Jones...

But as a COACH, Carroll would be a great pick up.

by dunkman on Jan 23, 2007 9:32 AM CST up reply actions

What did T.O. say?

Sports radio hung out a teaser about T.O.'s reaction - missed it.

by Doomsday on Jan 23, 2007 8:05 AM CST reply actions

Found it

Terrell Owens said Bill Parcells' retirement was best for the Cowboys.

"Sometimes change is good," T.O. said. "I think it was needed." Owens, currently preparing for a second round of finger surgery, said he hopes "the owner will hire a coach to take the team to the next level."

Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Same ol T.O., here's your chance to be human, likeable, humble and say something nice - like maybe you're sad to see him go, you learned a lot from him or he'll be missed. Nope, T.O.'s brain once again fails to filter the first thought that comes to mind and lets it go right to his mouth. Maybe I should appreciate a guy that speaks his mind, doesn't B.S. you or act fake - but he has an image issue that he could have helped here.

by Doomsday on Jan 23, 2007 8:35 AM CST up reply actions

What TO really needs is

a publicist to help him say the right things...

by dunkman on Jan 23, 2007 8:38 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah, like Terrell has 5 million reasons to live

LOL!!!

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" - Ric Flair

by kcbrett5 on Jan 23, 2007 9:38 AM CST up reply actions

Owens has 25 million reasons to hire a publicist.

by Parl on Jan 23, 2007 10:22 AM CST up reply actions

I think you both

have a bright bright future in the publicist business...

by dunkman on Jan 23, 2007 10:28 AM CST up reply actions

Is Garrett still in Miami?

If so, he managed to make Harrington look like a semi-lifelike simulation of a pro QB. If you can't call it a rousing success, at least it's good experience. Whatever doesn't kill you and all....

Fear is just frozen adrenaline.

by abileneblues on Jan 23, 2007 8:52 AM CST reply actions

Posted too soon.

Was Garrett still just a QB coach or did he have more. Seems like he was just playing a couple of years ago. Is he ready to be calling the plays is the big question.

Fear is just frozen adrenaline.

by abileneblues on Jan 23, 2007 8:54 AM CST reply actions

Rivera's comments and a name I hadn't thought of

Rivera: (from DFW.com)

Rivera may be the league's most respected defensive coach, building an impressive system over the past three years with the Super Bowl-bound Bears.

"It's an outstanding place," Rivera said. "[Former Cowboys assistant] Wade Wilson is on this staff and has said it's a great place. Jerry is a good guy to work for."

The same article mentioned Lovie Smith - odd to mention a coach that could possibly win the SB (and get a raise) but the article did reiterate that he's the lowest paid head coach in the league and a Texas native.

by Doomsday on Jan 23, 2007 8:59 AM CST reply actions

Mike and Mike on ESPN Radio

spoke at length this morning about the possibility of Lovie Smith coming to Dallas. They talked about how Jerry Jones adores the guy and how Lovie was a huge Cowboys fan in his youth. Of course they also mentioned he was the lowest paid coach in the league and you've got guys coming into the league with no NFL experience earning $5 million per year. Apparently the Bears are having trouble renegotiating the contract as of now. I can't see how a guy who wins coach of the year in his second year and takes the team to the Super Bowl in his third gets away from them... but that would be nice!

At least I don't live in Philadelphia.

by Citilicious on Jan 23, 2007 9:29 AM CST up reply actions

Speaking of coaching contracts...

Aren't the Titans still working on an extension of Jeff Fisher's current contract -- which I think runs through 2007.

Couldn't King Jerry throw out some kind of compensation to obtain the "rights" to Fisher, and sign him to a four or five year deal?

I'd love to have someone like him to keep our big-mouth idiot of a receiver in check.

The one concern I do have about the alleged Wade Phillips/Jason Garrett combo is the TO factor.

Parcells, Cowher, Johnson and Fisher wouldn't take his crap and wouldn't hesitate to put Owens in his place. In fact, I don't think Cowher would even have a moron like that on his roster.

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" - Ric Flair

by kcbrett5 on Jan 23, 2007 9:43 AM CST up reply actions

I read that the Titans already said no

I might have read that here or in and DFW article, can't remember. But it said that the Titans have said they will refuse any request to interview Fisher.

by Doomsday on Jan 23, 2007 10:03 AM CST up reply actions

You are correct

Everyone can drop the name Jeff Fisher. It is not going to happen.
He is still under contract this year with the Titans because they exercised that option on his contract. Furthermore, this is what they have to say about it:

The Titans strongly squashed speculation linking coach Jeff Fisher to the newly-vacant Dallas job Monday, as chief operating office Steve Underwood said there are no circumstances under which the team would allow the Cowboys to talk to Fisher.
"Dallas has not requested permission to speak to Coach Fisher, and in the event they did, there are no circumstances under which permission would be granted," Underwood said.

by Philosopher on Jan 23, 2007 10:06 AM CST up reply actions

Is he worth 3 #1 picks?

Because that's almost assuredly what it would take to get Lovie.

Bleeding Green Nation Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Jan 23, 2007 10:49 AM CST up reply actions

I meant 2 #1 picks

Bleeding Green Nation Philadelphia Eagles Blog

by JasonB on Jan 23, 2007 10:50 AM CST up reply actions

Tony Sparano

Both Parcells and Jones are very high on Tony Sparano. Bill wouldn't let Sean Payton interview him when Payton left for the Saints. I would assume he would be the leading candidate to be Offensive Coordinator and Garrett, if he came over, would be the Quarterbacks coach. If Garrett came over and was given the O.C. job, what would we do with Sparano? I can't believe we would just let him go when the organization seems to really like him and his potential. But who knows. A new coach may want to pick his own staff and Jerry may let him do that. Just too hard to say right now.

by Philosopher on Jan 23, 2007 10:04 AM CST up reply actions