Parcells receives contract extension
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.
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 midcontract and there was speculation he might do it again.
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.
Terms of Parcells’ new contract were not immediately available.
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.”
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.
Vikings hire Childress as coach
Zygi Wilf was looking for more than just a winner when he interviewed candidates for the Minnesota Vikings’ coaching vacancy.
After a first season as an NFL owner littered with ticket scalping, Whizzinators and scandalous boat parties off the field, and a disappointing 9-7 record on it, Wilf wanted a steadying presence.
Philadelphia offensive coordinator Brad Childress was hired to replace the fired Mike Tice, whose four-season tenure was plagued by player malfeasance and only moderate success.
“Coach Childress was the elite NFL head coaching candidate,” Wilf said. “He embodies class, character and discipline and is a great family man. Bottom line, Brad Childress is a winner.”
Childress signed a five-year guaranteed contract.
The Philadelphia Eagles named assistant head coach Mary Mornhinweg as the team’s offensive coordinator to replace Childress.
Cards hire, Bills fire
The Arizona Cardinals hired Steve Loney as their offensive line coach and Larry Brooks as defensive line coach.
Loney spent the last four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
Brooks was defensive line coach of the Detroit Lions the past two seasons.
•The Buffalo Bills fired five assistant coaches, capping a tumultuous week that followed a disappointing season.
Head coach Mike Mularkey announced the dismissals of Tim Krumrie (defensive line coach), Don Blackmon (linebackers), Steve Szabo (defensive backs) and Frank Verducci (offensive line). Mularkey also confirmed that offensive coordinator Tom Clements was fired, a move that was reported by the Associated Press earlier this week.
Urlacher top defensive player
Brian Urlacher was a frustrated man a year ago. He was injured and called overrated as the Chicago Bears struggled through their third straight losing season.
Now?
The Bears are in the playoffs for the first time in four years. And Urlacher, the latest leader of the Monsters of the Midway, won the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year award Friday.
The Bears’ star middle linebacker is the public face of a ferocious defense that allowed the fewest points in the league this season.
Around the league
Oregon defensive tackle Haloti Ngata said he will leave school early to enter the NFL draft. … Fresno State cornerback Richard Marshall will skip his senior season to enter the draft. … Former Arizona Cardinals linebacker Simon Shanks was fatally shot outside his home while his wife and children fled unharmed from three assailants by jumping out a back window, Phoenix police said. Shanks played for the Cardinals in 1995.