PFT has to be insane.
POSTED 3:28 p.m. EST, January 22, 2007
TUNA CALLS IT QUITS
At a time when it was looking like Cowboys coach Bill Parcells would be back for the 2007 season, and possibly beyond, the Tuna has called it quits after four years with the team.
"I am retiring from coaching football," Parcells said in a statement, according to the Associated Press. "I want to thank Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones for their tremendous support over the last four years. 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."
The move came at a time when some players had become convinced that Parcells was done. However, we'd heard that Parcells' agent, Jimmy Sexton, was putting the finishing touches on a contract extension as recently as Thursday, and ESPN's Chris Mortensen kinda-sorta confirmed this by reporting on Sunday that, if Parcells comes back, it will be for more than the one year that was remaining on his deal.
NFLN's Adam Schefter reported on Saturday night that there were indications that Parcells would return. Since we have no reason to doubt the accuracy of Schefter's report (and we're not being sarcastic, despite our propensity in this regard), we can only assume that there was some last minute snag or epiphany or change of heart that prompted Parcells to walk away.
Maybe it had something to do with a certain receiver whom Parcells most certainly wanted out of town.
League and media sources tell us that the early scuttlebutt regarding a replacement is focused on Chargers defensive coordinator Wade Phillips and Patriots coach Bill Belichick. We wouldn't be surprised in the least to learn that owner Jerry Jones is making a run at Belichick.
We also wouldn't be surprised to learn that he will make a run at USC coach Pete Carroll or former Steelers coach Bill Cowher.
As one media source explained: "Jones needs a name. He needs it for his ego. Parcells just left him at the altar. He needs it for that new stadium. Jones also must interview a qualified minority candidate or risk retribution from [NFL Commissioner Roger] Goodell."
The hottest remaining minority candidate is Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, who by league rules won't be available for an interview until after the Super Bowl.
But don't rule out Rivera's current boss, Lovie Smith. Smith has one year left on his contract and he arguably has built up enough juice to force his way out of the last year of his deal, if he makes an impassioned plea to head back to his home state of Texas. The Cowboys would surely have to cough up some draft picks as compensation, but we think Jones would be willing to do it if it meant getting the guy he wants.
