Next in line after Parcells? Pick one
by Tom Orsborn
IRVING — Wearing his windbreaker during the Washington game Sept. 17 left Bill Parcells dehydrated and dangerously close to passing out.
Wonder what kind of toll the latest ruckus involving Terrell Owens had on the 65-year-old coach?
Speculation about Parcells' future is an annual rite of fall. A Boston newspaper began the latest round of retirement talk after Parcells admitted two weeks ago he had an electrolyte imbalance and almost didn't make it through a humid night at Texas Stadium.
"Bill Parcells may be greasing the skids for a departure from Dallas because he's complaining about his health, which he's done in the past when the end was in sight, but the end of his contract was not," opined a Boston Globe writer.
Now, "chatterboxes" — Parcells' term for bloggers and Internet writers — are wondering whether the Tuna can survive three more months with Owens.
So let's say Owens proves too much for Parcells, and the coach decides to spend the rest of his days at the racetrack rather than return for the final year of his contract. Who does Jerry Jones turn to? In no particular order, I'm guessing the Cowboys' owner considers the following:
Charlie Weis: The former Parcells assistant knows the team's offensive system inside out and has proven at Notre Dame he can run a high-profile program. Considering Jones said in the spring he plans to stick with the two-tight end, one-back attack as the team's base offense long after Parcells is gone, Weis would be a perfect fit.
Bobby Petrino: Yes, another college coach who excels at coaching offense. Since the start of the 2004 season, Petrino's Louisville teams have averaged a whopping 46 points per game. Just think what he could do with Owens, Terry Glenn, Jason Witten and Julius Jones.
Mike Zimmer: One of the hardest workers to ever draw a paycheck from the Cowboys, "Zim" is a well-respected defensive coordinator whose tough-love methods have brought out the best in his players.
Jimmy Johnson: Don't laugh. Who would have thought Jones would have hired the hardheaded Parcells?
Bob Stoops: A trendy choice a couple of years ago, but Oklahoma's BCS national-title game losses to LSU and USC in 2003 and 2004, respectively, tarnished his once-shiny star.
Wade Wilson: The Bears' quarterback coach is a former Cowboys player and assistant. He took bows last year for tutoring fourth-round draft pick Kyle Orton, who won 10 of 15 starts. If Jones is serious about handing the quarterback reins to Tony Romo, then Wilson should get an interview.
Bill Cowher: The fact he hasn't signed an extension after winning the Super Bowl indicates the Steelers aren't going to pay him the money he can get elsewhere. Plus, Jones has learned from Parcells the value of a strong head coach.
Panthers defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac and Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt could also get looks.
One thing is certain: The next coach will inherit a team with a solid nucleus. Say what you want about Parcells, but he's done a good job of restoring talent and pride to a franchise that had little of either during the Dave Campo era.
IRVING — Wearing his windbreaker during the Washington game Sept. 17 left Bill Parcells dehydrated and dangerously close to passing out.
Wonder what kind of toll the latest ruckus involving Terrell Owens had on the 65-year-old coach?
Speculation about Parcells' future is an annual rite of fall. A Boston newspaper began the latest round of retirement talk after Parcells admitted two weeks ago he had an electrolyte imbalance and almost didn't make it through a humid night at Texas Stadium.
"Bill Parcells may be greasing the skids for a departure from Dallas because he's complaining about his health, which he's done in the past when the end was in sight, but the end of his contract was not," opined a Boston Globe writer.
Now, "chatterboxes" — Parcells' term for bloggers and Internet writers — are wondering whether the Tuna can survive three more months with Owens.
So let's say Owens proves too much for Parcells, and the coach decides to spend the rest of his days at the racetrack rather than return for the final year of his contract. Who does Jerry Jones turn to? In no particular order, I'm guessing the Cowboys' owner considers the following:
Charlie Weis: The former Parcells assistant knows the team's offensive system inside out and has proven at Notre Dame he can run a high-profile program. Considering Jones said in the spring he plans to stick with the two-tight end, one-back attack as the team's base offense long after Parcells is gone, Weis would be a perfect fit.
Bobby Petrino: Yes, another college coach who excels at coaching offense. Since the start of the 2004 season, Petrino's Louisville teams have averaged a whopping 46 points per game. Just think what he could do with Owens, Terry Glenn, Jason Witten and Julius Jones.
Mike Zimmer: One of the hardest workers to ever draw a paycheck from the Cowboys, "Zim" is a well-respected defensive coordinator whose tough-love methods have brought out the best in his players.
Jimmy Johnson: Don't laugh. Who would have thought Jones would have hired the hardheaded Parcells?
Bob Stoops: A trendy choice a couple of years ago, but Oklahoma's BCS national-title game losses to LSU and USC in 2003 and 2004, respectively, tarnished his once-shiny star.
Wade Wilson: The Bears' quarterback coach is a former Cowboys player and assistant. He took bows last year for tutoring fourth-round draft pick Kyle Orton, who won 10 of 15 starts. If Jones is serious about handing the quarterback reins to Tony Romo, then Wilson should get an interview.
Bill Cowher: The fact he hasn't signed an extension after winning the Super Bowl indicates the Steelers aren't going to pay him the money he can get elsewhere. Plus, Jones has learned from Parcells the value of a strong head coach.
Panthers defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac and Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt could also get looks.
One thing is certain: The next coach will inherit a team with a solid nucleus. Say what you want about Parcells, but he's done a good job of restoring talent and pride to a franchise that had little of either during the Dave Campo era.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:31 AM
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