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Todd Archer: Parcells keeps heat on his coaches
03:28 PM CDT on Thursday, October 13, 2005
IRVING – It’s not easy being a member of Bill Parcells’ coaching staff. That much we do know.
There are long days and nights from July through January. He will chew out an assistant at any time for a player’s mistake. He demands perfection, which is fine. Every coach does.
And every assistant coach knew it when they joined on since Parcells has been calling the shots in Dallas.
After Sunday’s 33-10 dismantling of Philadelphia, players on both sides of the ball credited the coaches with coming up with great plans. Sean Payton, who is calling the plays, had the Eagles off-balance all day. Mike Zimmer took advantage of the Eagles’ poor field position and didn’t let them breathe.
On Monday Parcells was asked if the coaches deserve an A-plus for their work.
“No, I don’t give them an A+,” he said. “They’re doing what they’re supposed to do. That’s it right there.”
Now, Parcells did throw some bon mots to running backs coach Anthony Lynn for his attention to detail. And he did say Bruce DeHaven has a very good scheme when it comes to covering kicks.
But that’s it. It’s the way he is. It’s why a book about a week in the life of his old Giants’ team called No Medals for Trying.
The assistants get little of the credit for what they do. Zimmer is in the worst spot. If the defense does well, it’s because Parcells made the switch to the 3-4. If it does poorly, then Zimmer will be scapegoated and probably replaced next year.
Or if the Cowboys succeed, then Zimmer could be a candidate for a head coaching job, like he was two years ago at Nebraska.
During his time with the Giants and Jets and in New England, Parcells largely had the same coaching staff. Bill Belichick, Romeo Crennel, Charlie Weis, Al Groh and Mike Sweatman were with him in all three spots.
Parcells completely trusted them to do what was right on a weekly basis. Parcells mentioned a team cannot become a team until players can air it out with each other without fear. The same thing goes with coaches. There has to be healthy disagreement.
When he came to Dallas, he was familiar only with Maurice Carthon, who has since become the offensive coordinator in Cleveland. He took on a number of coaches with whom he had little experience with and against.
Receivers coach John McNulty was replaced after one year and replaced by Todd Haley, who worked for Parcells with the Jets. Offensive line coach George Warhop was let go after two and replaced by tight ends coach Tony Sparano.
For the most part, Parcells likes this coaching staff. He just doesn’t want everybody to know it.
And when does a staff deserve an A+?
“Win a championship – someday,” Parcells said.
03:28 PM CDT on Thursday, October 13, 2005
IRVING – It’s not easy being a member of Bill Parcells’ coaching staff. That much we do know.
There are long days and nights from July through January. He will chew out an assistant at any time for a player’s mistake. He demands perfection, which is fine. Every coach does.
And every assistant coach knew it when they joined on since Parcells has been calling the shots in Dallas.
After Sunday’s 33-10 dismantling of Philadelphia, players on both sides of the ball credited the coaches with coming up with great plans. Sean Payton, who is calling the plays, had the Eagles off-balance all day. Mike Zimmer took advantage of the Eagles’ poor field position and didn’t let them breathe.
On Monday Parcells was asked if the coaches deserve an A-plus for their work.
“No, I don’t give them an A+,” he said. “They’re doing what they’re supposed to do. That’s it right there.”
Now, Parcells did throw some bon mots to running backs coach Anthony Lynn for his attention to detail. And he did say Bruce DeHaven has a very good scheme when it comes to covering kicks.
But that’s it. It’s the way he is. It’s why a book about a week in the life of his old Giants’ team called No Medals for Trying.
The assistants get little of the credit for what they do. Zimmer is in the worst spot. If the defense does well, it’s because Parcells made the switch to the 3-4. If it does poorly, then Zimmer will be scapegoated and probably replaced next year.
Or if the Cowboys succeed, then Zimmer could be a candidate for a head coaching job, like he was two years ago at Nebraska.
During his time with the Giants and Jets and in New England, Parcells largely had the same coaching staff. Bill Belichick, Romeo Crennel, Charlie Weis, Al Groh and Mike Sweatman were with him in all three spots.
Parcells completely trusted them to do what was right on a weekly basis. Parcells mentioned a team cannot become a team until players can air it out with each other without fear. The same thing goes with coaches. There has to be healthy disagreement.
When he came to Dallas, he was familiar only with Maurice Carthon, who has since become the offensive coordinator in Cleveland. He took on a number of coaches with whom he had little experience with and against.
Receivers coach John McNulty was replaced after one year and replaced by Todd Haley, who worked for Parcells with the Jets. Offensive line coach George Warhop was let go after two and replaced by tight ends coach Tony Sparano.
For the most part, Parcells likes this coaching staff. He just doesn’t want everybody to know it.
And when does a staff deserve an A+?
“Win a championship – someday,” Parcells said.
