| Breaking News!!! Bill Parcells retired from coaching Monday, leaving the Dallas Cowboys after four seasons and ending a stellar career that featured three Super Bowl appearances and two championships.
Say what?
Is Bill Parcells really retiring? He's said he was finished before, only to return:
May 15, 1991: Bill Parcells announces his retirement as Giants head coach after eight years. When asked if he could possibly coach another team someday, he said "I'm not dying."
Jan. 31, 1996: Parcells delivered a letter to Patriots owner Robert Kraft that said he had "no desire to continue as an NFL coach" or have other comparable positions for the 1997 season. He signed with the Jets just eight days later, with the Patriots' permission.
Jan. 2, 2000: Parcells resigned after three seasons as coach of the New York Jets. Parcells said he could no longer devote the amount of time needed to be a coach. ''I've coached my last game,'' said Parcells, ending rumors he might seek another job. When pushed on the subject, Parcells firmly reiterated, "... My intention is to stay retired as a coach.''
-- ESPN Research
The decision came 15 days after the Cowboys' season ended with a heartbreaking playoff loss in Seattle. He'd been at his office nearly every day since, and there were other indications that the 65-year-old coach was returning for a fifth year in Dallas and 20th as an NFL head coach.
Instead, Parcells released a statement saying: "I am retiring from coaching football.''
"I want to thank Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones for their tremendous support over the last four years,'' the statement continued. "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.'' |