Parcells coming back for next season

SUMG · January 7, 2006

IRVING, Texas (AP)- Bill Parcells is coming back for another season with the Dallas Cowboys. Maybe even two. The team announced Friday that Parcells agreed to a new contract through the 2007 season.

"I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to continue what we have started here," Parcells said in a news release. "The Cowboys organization has been the fairest of fair to me, and hopefully I can repay them with an improved performance."

Parcells, 64, had a year left on the four-year, $17 million contract he signed in January 2003. However, he left his three previous coaching jobs mid-contract and there was speculation he might do it again.

The question diminished as this week went on and Parcells continued showing up at his office every day. The announcement ends any doubt and helps turn attention to what the club will do to continue a turnaround that saw them go 9-7 after being 6-10 the previous year.

"This is about continuity and building upon the pieces we have in place as an organization and as a football team," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "We aren't where we want to be at this point, but we're definitely moving in the right direction and feel very good about the future."

The Cowboys are 25-24 under Parcells, counting the postseason. Over his 18-year career, he's 163-123-1, good for ninth on the career win list, with two Super Bowl wins.

In three years with the Cowboys, Parcells has enhanced his reputation as a rebuilder, but he still has plenty to accomplish - starting with winning a playoff game.

Terms of Parcells' new contract were not immediately available. A team spokesman said Jones would have no further comment. Parcells, who rarely speaks to reporters in the offseason, also was unavailable. His agent, Jimmy Sexton, did not immediately return a phone call to The Associated Press.

Despite having added a year to Parcells' existing deal - and probably giving him a raise, too - Jones could end up in the same will-he-stay-or-will-he-go dilemma after the upcoming season.

Coaches usually work with an extra season on their contracts, partly as leverage with players who might view them as headed out. So even with the extension, Jones can only count on getting 2006 out of Parcells.

"As I have said for the past three years, I am encouraged by Bill's enthusiasm and determination, and that hasn't changed in any way," Jones said. "From a personal perspective I have enjoyed every aspect of our working relationship, and I am optimistic about the organization's future."

The makeup of Parcells' staff remains in doubt. Sean Payton, the passing game coordinator and assistant head coach, is a candidate for the head coaching jobs in Green Bay and New Orleans, and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is up for the St. Louis job.

As for the roster, Dallas will have to decide about whether to keep several veterans who are due roster bonuses. The Cowboys likely will be on the hunt for several starters in free agency, and they have the 18th pick in the draft.

Parcells arrived in Dallas three years ago this week, taking over a club coming off three straight five-win seasons.

He won 10 games and made the playoffs right away, but lost to Carolina in a wild-card game. After the worst second season of any of his coaching stops, he rededicated himself for '05, restructuring the team more to his liking, and saw immediate results.

The Cowboys were 7-3 and first in the NFC East, then stumbled to a 2-4 finish. They were eliminated from the playoffs about an hour before their finale.

Afterward, Parcells said he needed time to decide whether to return. He's maintained that his health is fine, other than slipping from his workout regimen during the final month of the season. The first media report that he was considering retirement linked it to the November death of his younger brother, Don, after a long bout with cancer.

"Listen, the NFL season at best is a tiring process," Parcells said last week. "When you've been going every day since July 29, every single day, it's tiring for me. I don't know what it is for the other guys. When I see them on Sunday, they all look tired, too."

Parcells guided the New York Giants to Super Bowl titles after the 1986 and '90 seasons, then got the New England Patriots there in '96 and the New York Jets to the AFC championship in '98. He became the first coach to get four teams into the playoffs after making it with Dallas in 2003.

The future seems bright for the Cowboys.

Running back Julius Jones and tight end Jason Witten are building blocks on offense, and the defense - which Parcells switched to a 3-4 scheme last offseason - is loaded with talented young players: safety Roy Williams, cornerback Terence Newman, linebacker DeMarcus Ware and linemen Marcus Spears and Chris Canty.

Parcells also has a core of players he relies on after having coached them on previous teams: quarterback Drew Bledsoe, receivers Keyshawn Johnson and Terry Glenn, defensive lineman Jason Ferguson and cornerback Aaron Glenn.

Eagle1855 · January 13, 2006

too bad for dallas

Michael Scott · January 13, 2006

too bad for dallas
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If only we had the Texans bright future....

more skill position players to draft, a losing culture, the boyish good looks of David Carr (along with a goofy HEB commercial), no line....oh wait that was the Cowboys 98-2002

At least things are looking up for the Astros and Rockets...

I keed, I keed

Edited January 13, 2006 by Michael Scott

Eagle1855 · January 13, 2006

If only we had the Texans bright future....
more skill position players to draft, a losing culture, the boyish good looks of David Carr (along with a goofy HEB commercial), no line....oh wait that was the Cowboys 98-2002
At least things are looking up for the Astros and Rockets...
I keed, I keed
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I think I knew I would get one of these coments once I posted it, and perhaps in some way, I did it on purpose

But it begs the question, my hatred for the cowboys aside, what exactly has Bill Parcells done for the Cowboys this year-- or the last 3? A playoff appearance (and then a subsequent ass beating?) Come on, things arent a whole lot rosier in Dallas, where "America's Team" resides. Maybe Parcells can dig up another dinosaur (one of "parcells guys") in the off season to complement the rest of the antique collection they field every Sunday.

Last I could tell, both the Texans and the Cowboys were watching the playoffs from the same place as you and I-- home. Only difference is, Texans get the first pick of the draft.

When taken over all sports, Houston has its fair share of championships.

The Rockets are plagued with injury... thats been a big bag of disappointment. Glad to see the mavs are doing well though, as they are my second team.

Dont you worry about my astros though, they will be just fine!

Michael Scott · January 13, 2006

I think I knew I would get one of these coments once I posted it, and perhaps in some way, I did it on purpose
But it begs the question, my hatred for the cowboys aside, what exactly has Bill Parcells done for the Cowboys this year-- or the last 3? A playoff appearance (and then a subsequent ass beating?) Come on, things arent a whole lot rosier in Dallas, where "America's Team" resides. Maybe Parcells can dig up another dinosaur (one of "parcells guys") in the off season to complement the rest of the antique collection they field every Sunday.
Last I could tell, both the Texans and the Cowboys were watching the playoffs from the same place as you and I-- home. Only difference is, Texans get the first pick of the draft.
When taken over all sports, Houston has its fair share of championships.
The Rockets are plagued with injury... thats been a big bag of disappointment. Glad to see the mavs are doing well though, as they are my second team.
Dont you worry about my astros though, they will be just fine!
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I knew it was bait - and I just had to take it to amuse myself. I know you enjoy the debate and wouldn't take it personal. Parcells is overrated for game management (at least lately), but he has built a foundation that had not been in place for years. That team he took to the playoffs in 2003-2004 was just terrible - it was a great smoke and mirrors job. The Cowboys are younger and, with some upgrades and linebacker and tackle, ready to do more. I am not a Parcells lover, but the situation has improved.

I think the Cowboys had 8 years of crappy drafting and poor decisions to undo and he has slowly undone much of it. Remember the contracts and personnel a few years ago? Its a shame the Texans have been just as bumbling at building around their talent, because this state could use two good football teams instead of one slightly above average one and a crappy one.

The Astros may be fine next year (the Cardinals are getting worse and the Cubs are the Cubs - the Brewers may need one more year), but telling Bagwell to retire was classless. If their ownership had grown a pair and went for it all the last few offseasons they could have had 2 titles.

Over all sports, aren't there just 2 NBA titles when Jordan left? Rice's baseball title? WNBA 4 peat (please don't count the WNBA)? Or Dave Tippet's Aeros? Or do you mean like divisional titles and things like that?

Still no defending those HEB commercials though

Eagle1855 · January 13, 2006

There is no defending HEB commercials, I'll agree with you there. The guys had a lot of fun doing them though, from what I have heard and read.

You can include division titles. My point was, Houston has its fair share of winners. They also have their fair share of heartbreaks (astros 2 years ago, Oilers 35-3 debacle..etc). The Cowboys have 5 championships (3 in the last relevant amount of time), the Stars a Stanley Cup (the same year as the Aeros if I am not mistaken-- by the way, what a year for the hockey world when the two championships are in Texas?). As far as I am concerned its pretty even overall in the past couple decades.

If not, then Houston edges Dallas with facilities and the layout of its sports venues. Its all within the city and mostly downtown. It makes for a great gameday atmosphere. You dont have to drive all over the surrounding areas to get to the stadiums, and there are plenty of bars and restaurants. I think having a ball park in Arlington, a stadium in Irving and a basketball/hocky arena downtown is a beating. Dallas (laura miller) dropped the ball on the cotton bowl (though I cant blame taxpayers for wanting to avoid being held hostage)

And those that know me know I am always up for a debate (or educated argument)!

NTEagle08 · January 13, 2006

There is no defending HEB commercials, I'll agree with you there. The guys had a lot of fun doing them though, from what I have heard and read.
You can include division titles. My point was, Houston has its fair share of winners. They also have their fair share of heartbreaks (astros 2 years ago, Oilers 35-3 debacle..etc). The Cowboys have 5 championships (3 in the last relevant amount of time), the Stars a Stanley Cup (the same year as the Aeros if I am not mistaken-- by the way, what a year for the hockey world when the two championships are in Texas?). As far as I am concerned its pretty even overall in the past couple decades.
If not, then Houston edges Dallas with facilities and the layout of its sports venues. Its all within the city and mostly downtown. It makes for a great gameday atmosphere. You dont have to drive all over the surrounding areas to get to the stadiums, and there are plenty of bars and restaurants. I think having a ball park in Arlington, a stadium in Irving and a basketball/hocky arena downtown is a beating. Dallas (laura miller) dropped the ball on the cotton bowl (though I cant blame taxpayers for wanting to avoid being held hostage)
And those that know me know I am always up for a debate (or educated argument)!
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You've got a good point over the vicinity of the sports facilities in the city of Houston. That's definately one thing Houston has over Dallas. Having two of the venues downtown and especially a couple of blocks apart is pretty nice. And Reliant is reachable by the METRO rail line from downtown. Minute Maid has transformed that area of downtown which a few years ago was pretty bad. Minute Maid overall is I think a better ballpark than Ameriquest. Ameriquest was built way to big for the Rangers, and MM has a good capacity for the fan base. The AAC is pretty nice, but I for some reason I like the Toyota Center a little better. It's not as nice as the AAC, but it feels more like a sports arena and the seats are a little closer, especially in the upper deck. Reliant right now I would say is probably one of the best, if not the best, football venues in the country right now.

Things have been pretty interesting here in Houston the last week or so with the Vince vs. Reggie debate pretty much dominating sports radio. It should be interesting next year with Gary Kubiak coming in with an offensive system that has worked in the NFL for years. Granted the Broncos o-line is better than the Texans, I think he can turn around the offense, just look what he did with Jake Plummer.

Michael Scott · January 13, 2006

There is no defending HEB commercials, I'll agree with you there. The guys had a lot of fun doing them though, from what I have heard and read.
You can include division titles. My point was, Houston has its fair share of winners. They also have their fair share of heartbreaks (astros 2 years ago, Oilers 35-3 debacle..etc). The Cowboys have 5 championships (3 in the last relevant amount of time), the Stars a Stanley Cup (the same year as the Aeros if I am not mistaken-- by the way, what a year for the hockey world when the two championships are in Texas?). As far as I am concerned its pretty even overall in the past couple decades.
If not, then Houston edges Dallas with facilities and the layout of its sports venues. Its all within the city and mostly downtown. It makes for a great gameday atmosphere. You dont have to drive all over the surrounding areas to get to the stadiums, and there are plenty of bars and restaurants. I think having a ball park in Arlington, a stadium in Irving and a basketball/hocky arena downtown is a beating. Dallas (laura miller) dropped the ball on the cotton bowl (though I cant blame taxpayers for wanting to avoid being held hostage)
And those that know me know I am always up for a debate (or educated argument)!
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Stanley Cup and an Aeros title are non-equatable at all - but other than that great points.

The Dallas layout for sports venues is terrible. Its gotten better around the AAC, but going to a Rangers game is just terrible and the Cowboys are great if your a seminarian at UD. Downtown Phoenix has what I think an optimal layout for sports. Everything is accessible, plenty of places to go, and no major parking, traffic, snags. The only thing that limits Houston is the traffic with all the construction and sprawl.

Another note on the AAC - I miss Reunion. It was smaller and generated les revenue, but the atmosphere was amazing - especially for hockey and the 80s Mavs. The 1999 Stanley Cup playoff games were amazing there. Every hockey game in the new barn has a dead, corporate feel to it. It's better in the playoffs, but still less than what it was. Ice is better though.

I think Gary Kubiak won't fix all the problems. The Broncos are built on Alex Gibb's line - he is now spinning his craft in Atlanta if I am not mistaken. I think that guy was more the key than Kubiak. Plummer was efficient this year, but it was also because no one pressured him. I am very interested to see him play this weekend and maybe next to see how he handles playing teams with strong pass rushes. I did not walk away from the Thanksgiving game impressed with him, but rather the running game and line. We'll see though - once the Texans get a line so much will fall in place for them.

Eagle1855 · January 13, 2006

Stanley Cup and an Aeros title are non-equatable at all - but other than that great points.
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Agreed, but they are both of about equal significance to me... and that would be classified as "little to none". I was just commenting on how they won at the same time. Houston only has an IHL team, so a stanley cup isnt really an option. And it probably never will be, which is fine by me!

I think Kubiak will be good. I base this on little else than what he has done with plummer and what I have read in the lousy Houston Chronicle. Anything at this point is better than what we had this year, however. A big shakeup is needed. The fans need it, the team needs it.

Michael Scott · January 13, 2006

Agreed, but they are both of about equal significance to me... and that would be classified as "little to none". I was just commenting on how they won at the same time. Houston only has an IHL team, so a stanley cup isnt really an option. And it probably never will be, which is fine by me!
I think Kubiak will be good. I base this on little else than what he has done with plummer and what I have read in the lousy Houston Chronicle. Anything at this point is better than what we had this year, however. A big shakeup is needed. The fans need it, the team needs it.
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Well other than differing on our opinions of hockey - this debate fell apart pretty quick.

You are right - anything is better than Dom Capers.