FWST Blog: Looking Back: Cowboys (Head Coach) Interviews 2007

[WoodysGirl]

January 13, 2009

Looking Back: Cowboys Interviews 2007

When Bill Parcells retired from coaching the Cowboys after the 2006 season Jerry Jones went out and interviewed nearly every person he could find before settling on Wade Phillips.

Here are some of the coaches he talked to, what they've done since then, and what they are doing now.

Norv Turner
The Chargers named him head coach and in that time the Chargers have been to an AFC title game as well as the the divisional round this year.
Would you rather have Wade or Norv?

Jim Caldwell
At the time he was the Colts QB coach. He was the very last interview in the Cowboys' interview process. He was just named Tony Dungy's successor as the head coach in Indianapolis.

Would you rather have Caldwell or Wade?

Mike Singletary
He was an assistant with the 49ers at the time, and when he interviewed with Jones it had the feeling of just a "token" interview.
Singletary replaced Mike Nolan during the 2008 season, and was recently named the team's full-time head coach.

Would you rather have Singletary or Wade?

Jason Garrett
Jones interviewed the then Dolphins QB coach, but it was thought all along that Garrett would be the team's offensive coordinator.

Garrett has interviewed for five head coaching positions in the past two years and was offered head coaching positions in Atlanta and Baltimore last season.

Would you rather have Garrett or Wade?

Tony Sparano
The Cowboys offensive assistant and offensive line coach was given an interview, but it didn't seem as if he would ever get the job. He spent 2007 with the Cowboys before he was hired as the head coach in Miami where he took a 1-15 team to an 11-5 record and the playoffs.

Would you rather have Sparano or Wade?

Ron Rivera
He was the then Bears defensive coordinator. He came to the Cowboys under the guise of a head coaching interview, but really it was as a DC for Norv Turner. Once Rivera told Jones he would run a 4-3 defense that ended Rivera's chances in Dallas, and probably Turner's, too.

Rivera left Chicago where he became linebackers coach in San Diego in 2007. About halfway through the '08 season, he was named the Chargers' defensive coordinator.

Would you rather have Rivera or Wade?

- Mac Engel


Posted at 08:09 PM | Permalink

 

[rcaldw]

I would take any of them except Caldwell and Rivera over Wade, but I would have taken Rivera as DC with Turner as HC over Wade.

 

[theogt]

Sparano is the only one I'd consider taking over Wade.

 

[Alexander]

Would you rather have Sparano or Wade?

I think the players respected Sparano. Given the results he had with a pretty ragged team last year and the fact we have a lame duck right now, this seems like the best choice.

However, you have to add in the coach in waiting aspect to anyone that may have been hired. Phillips might have been one of the few willing to accept those terms. It would not have been fair or really smart for Sparano (or anyone else) to accept that kind of set up.

 

[iceberg]

singletary. i wanted him badly.

well, to coach the cowboys. we'll start there on my mancrush.

 

[Eddie]

singletary. i wanted him badly.

well, to coach the cowboys. we'll start there on my mancrush.

Yes, I think Singletary has the cajones to keep the team focused.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

singletary. i wanted him badly.

well, to coach the cowboys. we'll start there on my mancrush.

I liked most of the coaching candidates compared to wade or norv. Would rather have had wade over norv but in the end both suffer from the same thing IMO...they are good coordinators but not really good HC and I don't think either really have much of a commanding presence and don't think norv would have been much better than wade with this team.

The one that I like is Singletary because if we had a good OC and DC he seems like the guy who could be the HC in charge and would not take anything from the players but at the same time he would be one to give them their due when they did well.

At this point I don't know if we need a HC that is a O or D specialist like a wade or norv, as long as we could have a good OC and DC. Would rather have a HC just be a HC.

 

[chinch]

it's telling that that MR CONTINUITY failed to hire Sparano, the obvious choice and leader of the offense. Inexperienced, overpaid QB, TO in fold and obviously this is where CONTINUITY is useful (while the ship is on course, not approaching an iceburg).

instead he brings in two JAGs (jason and wade) and turn things upside down instead of taking a chance with better choices like Mike S.

 

[dmq]

I thought the pickins were mighty slim when we were looking. I think we should have landed Marty and still had Wade as our DC.

 

[theogt]

it's telling that that MR CONTINUITY failed to hire Sparano, the obvious choice and leader of the offense. Inexperienced, overpaid QB, TO in fold and obviously this is where CONTINUITY is useful (while the ship is on course, not approaching an iceburg).

instead he brings in two JAGs (jason and wade) and turn things upside down instead of taking a chance with better choices like Mike S.

I think at the time people were kinda surprised Sparano even interviewed for the job. It was considered, by most, to just be a courtesy to him. Many people thought he'd eventually get his shot at an HC job, but that it was years away and he'd have to prove himself over the long haul as a coordinator. I think that's because he's not as charismatic as most would like. Fans love those entertaining press conferences.

 

[chinch]

I think at the time people were kinda surprised Sparano even interviewed for the job. It was considered, by most, to just be a courtesy to him. Many people thought he'd eventually get his shot at an HC job, but that it was years away and he'd have to prove himself over the long haul as a coordinator. I think that's because he's not as charismatic as most would like. Fans love those entertaining press conferences.

I have no doubt TUNA recommended him and mr continuity interviewed him as a simple courtesy with no designs to keep him.

Again it just points out how jerry is always LATE in his timing with no ability to see the forest in the trees.

Sad how fans probably did factor... PSLs to sell... new stadium. Hype & media attention is more important than wins these days in Valley Ranch.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I thought the pickins were mighty slim when we were looking. I think we should have landed Marty and still had Wade as our DC.

Marty was fired AFTER Wade was hired. That's why the Chargers were scrambling to find a DC and hired Cottrell. If they'd fired Marty first, then Wade would've been promoted to HC for San Diego.

 

[dmq]

I have no doubt TUNA recommended him and mr continuity interviewed him as a simple courtesy with no designs to keep him.

Again it just points out how jerry is always LATE in his timing with no ability to see the forest in the trees.

Sad how fans probably did factor... PSLs to sell... new stadium. Hype & media attention is more important than wins these days in Valley Ranch.

Parcells also recommended Al Groh when he left the Jets. Yes I know about the whole BB recommendation before that.

 

[Hostile]

Hey, I think I inspired an article.

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143715

 

[4lifecowboy]

Rex Ryan was the guy I wanted as Head Coach, but he wasn't even interviewed.

 

[jobberone]

Singletary was the only guy I wanted if they didn't take Wade. I saw Wade as the right choice. Great defensive mind for all that talent sitting over there and the ability to lead a team. He was never a bad HC. Just not a great one.

Looks like Singletary and Sparano were good choices. The candle is still lit for Wade but it's growing dim.