Bill Parcells Considering Retirement

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Bill Parcells Considering Retirement

James Joyner | Saturday, December 24, 2005

Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells is considering retirement, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen.

At age 64, the toll of another long season has Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells privately contemplating a final retirement — even as team owner Jerry Jones is urging the coach to sign a contract extension.Sources tell ESPN’s Chris Mortensen that the death of Parcells’ brother at midseason is one of the events that has triggered the coach’s thoughts of retirement.

If Parcells stays in Dallas, it’s because he truly likes the team he has assembled, even though his work is not complete.

The Cowboys (8-6) are coming off a 35-7 humiliation in Washington that marked their third loss in four games. They’ll have to recover in time to play Saturday at Carolina (10-4) in a game both teams consider must-win.

The team has certainly been a disappointment, having virtually collapsed after starting the season at 7-3 and looking like a contender for home field advantage in the playoffs. Parcells decided not to clean house the first year and took a team that had gone 5-11 three straight seasons to the playoffs with a 10-6 record. The team reverted to form at 6-10 last year and Parcells decided to do it his way, shifting to the 3-4 defense and bringing in a new cast on defense this year. Unfortunately, the lack of an offense and a kicking game has crippled the team.

Parcells is headed to the Hall of Fame but he’s made some boneheaded moves since coming to Dallas, notably firing longtime special teams coach Joe Avezanno and kicking coach Steve Hoffman. Cutting deep snapper Jeff Robinson this offseason was also a headscratcher.

Still, I’d like to see Parcells stay on another couple of years to see if he can get it done. He has assembled the nucleas of a potentially terrific defense. There are some stars on offense as well, although the long-term answer at quarterback and the effectiveness of the offensive line remain major question marks.

Update: Parcells has steadfastly denied the rumors. DC.com’s Nick Eatman reports,

Despite being on the outside of the NFC playoff picture looking in, Cowboys head coach Bill Parcells seemed in a rather festive mood on Monday as the team returned to Valley Ranch following a day off for Christmas. But his mood took a sour turn when asked about the ESPN report claiming once again he is considering retirement after the season with one year left on his contract. “I’m not talking about any of that (expletive),” Parcells said rather brusquely. “When you’re 64 years old, they can say anything they want. They’re probably going to be pretty close to being right, some day.”

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, who worked with Parcells during the veteran coach’s analyst days at the cable network that 2002 season, reported last week Parcells is considering stepping down after the season.

Parcells not only denied the report, but chose not to discuss the situation in further detail. “There is no one I have talked to, no one about anything of that nature, this whole season,” Parcells said. “I challenge anyone to step forward to say this guy said to me he was thinking about retirement. One guy. I’m not saying anything. All that’s going to be is a distraction to my players this week if I start talking about that. I’m not saying anything. I don’t want any more questions about that. I’ll say what I want to say when I want to say it about those subjects.”

Parcells still has another year remaining on the four-year contract he signed in January of 2003, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he has not engaged in any such discussion about retirement with Parcells. Parcells, in a complete 180, was then asked about a reported contract extension. Parcells also denied that. “I don’t want to talk about that either,” said Parcells, who said a contract extension has not been offered by Jones. “Not to my knowledge. We haven’t talked about it.”

Previously:

Cowboys Linebacker Dat Nguyen on IR, May Retire

Michael Irvin Arrested on Drug Charges

Don Parcells, R.I.P.

Reggie White and Troy Aikman on Hall of Fame Ballot

Toni Fritsch, Former Cowboys Kicker, Dies at 60

Dallas Cowboys Join Katrina Relief Effort

Aikman, Smith, and Irvin Cowboys Ring of Honor Selectees

49ers Lineman Thomas Herrion Dies After Preaseason Game

Eminent Domain Ruling Affects Dallas Cowboys Stadium

David Lang, Former NFL Running Back, Killed in Shooting

Bill Parcells Primer

Cowboys Draft Marcus Spears in 1st Round

Cowboys Draft Troyâs Demarcus Ware in 1st Round

Cowboys Sign Drew Bledsoe

Quincy Carter in Drug Rehab

Marino, Young First-Ballot Hall of Famers, Irvin Snubbed

Itâs Official: Emmitt Smith Retires

Sources: Emmitt Smith to Retire

Dallas Cowboys Scouting Director Larry Lacewell Retires

Cowboysâ QB Drew Henson Moved to Third String

Cowboys 43, Seahawks 39

Cowboys Help Rookies Adjust to Perils of Instant Wealth

Marino, Young, Irvin Among Hall of Fame Nominees

Dallas Cowboys Gear Banned at Polling Places

Dallas Cowboys Network

Quincy Carter Released: Failed Cocaine Test

Cowboys to Cut QB Chad Hutchinson

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About the Author: James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. He lives just outside the Beltway in Alexandria, Virginia with his wife and infant daughter.

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