Bill Parcells

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Bill Parcells
Coach Bill Parcells
Date of birth	August 22, 1941
Place of birth	Englewood, NJ
Position(s)	Head Coach
College	Tarant County College
Awards	1994 AP NFL COY 1986 AP NFL COY 1986 Sporting News NFL COY 1996 Pro Football Weekly NFL COY 1994 Pro Football Weekly NFL COY 1994 Maxwell Football Club NFL COY 1994 UPI NFL COY 1986 UPI NFL COY
Honors	NFL 1990s All-Decade Team
Career Record	163-123-1
Super Bowl Wins	Super Bowl XXI Super Bowl XXV
Championships Won	1996 AFC Championship 1990 NFC Championship 1986 NFC Championship
Coaching Stats	DatabaseFootball
Team(s) as a coach/administrator
1978 1983-1990 1993-1996 1997-1999 2003-present	Air Force Falcons New York Giants New England Patriots New York Jets Dallas Cowboys

Duane Charles "Bill" Parcells (born August 22, 1941 in Englewood, New Jersey), nicknamed "The Tuna", is an American football head coach for the Dallas Cowboys, generally regarded among the best and worst coaches in NFL history.

1 Early career
2 New York Giants
3 First retirement
4 New England Patriots
5 New York Jets
6 Dallas Cowboys
7 Coaching Style
- 7.1 The Bill Parcells Coaching Tree
8 Personal
9 Miscellaneous
10 External links

[edit] Early career

His football career began as a linebacker for Wichita State between 1961 to 1963. His assistant coaching jobs on the collegiate level were Hastings (1964), Wichita State (1965), Army (1966-69), Florida State University (1970-72), Vanderbilt (1973-74) and Texas Tech (1975-77). He was head coach at Air Force (1978).

[edit] New York Giants

In 1979, Parcells joined the New York Giants as the defensive coordinator under Ray Perkins. In 1980, he left to join the New England Patriots as the linebackers coach under Ron Erhardt for one year before returning to the Giants as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. When Perkins announced on December 15, 1982 that he was leaving the Giants at the end of the season to become head coach at the University of Alabama, the Giants announced that Parcells would succeed him as head coach.

When Parcells took over in 1983, the New York Giants were a team that had posted just one winning season in the previous ten years. In his first year, he made a controversial decision to bench Phil Simms in favor of Scott Brunner. The result was a disastrous 3-12-1 season during which the Giants seriously considered bringing in University of Miami head coach Howard Schnellenberger to replace Parcells^{[citation needed]}.

After this dismal first season, Parcells made Simms the starter again. The team's record improved to 9-7 and 10-6 over the next two years, and earned them their first back-to-back play-off appearances since 1961-1963. In 1987, he led the Giants to the first of two Super Bowls. In the 1986-87 season, the Giants compiled a franchise best 14-2 record and the first of three division titles. Parcells, whose stifling 3-4 defense (known as Big Blue) led by Lawrence Taylor, Carl Banks, Harry Carson, and Leonard Marshall, and an offense under the direction of Phil Simms, crushed the San Francisco 49ers, 49-3, and the Washington Redskins, 17-0, in the playoffs before routing the Denver Broncos, 39-20, in Super Bowl XXI. Following the Super Bowl win, the Atlanta Falcons courted Parcells and attempted to make him their general manager and head coach. Parcells opted to stay with the Giants.

Parcells led the Giants to a second Super Bowl in 1991. The Giants began the 1990-91 season 10-0, and finished 13-3, but lost Simms to injury late in the season. Playing with a back-up quaterback in Jeff Hostetler and a 33-year-old veteran running back in Ottis Anderson, the Giants overcame the Chicago Bears in the divisional playoff, 31-3, and won in dramatic, come-from-behind fashion over San Francisco, 15-13, in the NFC Championship on a last-second 41-yard field goal by Matt Bahr which was set-up by a turnover caused by the formidable Big Blue defense. Super Bowl XXV proved equally exciting as the Giants used tough defense, ball-control and power-running to stop the Buffalo Bills, 20-19, whose own last-second 47-yard field goal attempt by Scott Norwood missed wide right. This was considered to be Parcells' greatest victory, since the Giants were overcoming injuries and the Bills were considered to be nearly unstoppable that year. Parcells retired from football after Super Bowl XXV due to health problems. During his tenure, the Giants had secured three division titles (1986, 1989, 1990), had only two losing seasons (the Giants went 6-9 during the strike year of 1987) and tallied an 8-3 playoff record.

[edit] First retirement

Following retirement, Parcells spent time as a football analyst for NBC Sports from 1991-1992, working as a studio commentator. He also hosted a local sports show in New York with Mike Francesa entitled Around the NFL.

In 1992 Parcells made a handshake agreement to become head coach of the struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At the last minute, Parcells opted not to take the job. Parcells did not feel the situation was right for him at that time. Tampa Bay owner Hugh Culverhouse said, "I feel like I've been jilted at the altar."

[edit] New England Patriots

After a two-year hiatus, Parcells returned to the NFL in 1993 as the head coach for the struggling New England Patriots. Within two years, Parcells coached the team to a 10-6 record and its first playoff game in eight years. In 1996, he guided the Patriots to Super Bowl XXXI but lost to the Green Bay Packers, 35-21, in New Orleans.

Parcells left the Patriots after disagreements with owner Robert Kraft; Parcells felt he did not have enough input into player personnel decisions. Upon his departure, Parcells stated: "If they want you to cook the dinner, at least they ought to let you shop for some of the groceries." This was mainly in reference to an incident in the Patriots' war room during the 1996 Draft where Parcells, who wanted to draft a defensive player with their first-round choice, was vetoed by Kraft, and the Patriots selected Ohio State WR Terry Glenn.

[edit] New York Jets

Although Parcells had decided to leave New England, his contract did not allow him to coach anywhere else. The New York Jets sought Parcells to take over their football operation after a 4-28 record under Rich Kotite. To circumvent Parcells' contractual obligations, the Jets hired Bill Belichick (then the #1 assistant to Parcells) as the Jets coach, and Bill Parcells was hired by the Jets in an "advisory" role. New England threatened legal action against Parcells and the Jets, but NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue brokered a deal between the two sides, with New England releasing Parcells from his contract and the Jets giving New England a first round draft choice.

Parcells instrumented a remarkable turnaround in his first year with the Jets. In his first season with the Jets, the team barely missed the playoffs with a record of 9-7. In 1998, the Jets went to the playoffs with a 12-4 record but lost to the eventual Super Bowl-champion Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game.

In 1999, expectations were high for the Jets to go to the Super Bowl. However, quarterback Vinny Testaverde would rupture his achilles tendon in the Jets home opener and the season would go downhill. After starting the season 1-6, the Jets won 3 straight and faced the Indianapolis Colts. Parcells emphasized the importance of not obtaining a "7th loss" but they did lose to the Colts and then to the New York Giants the following week. At 4-8, the Jets were in danger of finishing below .500. Remarkably, the Jets would finish 8-8, but out of the playoffs. In 1999, Bill Parcells retired from football for the second time, vowing that he would not coach again. He would remain with the Jets one more year as general manager.

[edit] Dallas Cowboys

Following three straight 5-11 losing seasons, Dallas Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones lured Bill Parcells out of retirement and made him the head coach in 2003. In his first season with the Cowboys, he led them to the playoffs with a 10-6 record (losing to the eventual NFC Champion Carolina Panthers in the opening round), thus making him the first head coach NFL history to guide four different teams to the playoffs.

The 2004 season, however, was one of turmoil. Starting quarterback Quincy Carter was terminated for alleged drug use in favor of 40-year-old veteran Vinny Testaverde, who had been brought to the Cowboys from the New York Jets by his former coach in the off-season. The Cowboys started strong, with victories against the Cleveland Browns and Washington Redskins, but Injuries and persistent penalty problems hobbled the Cowboys, and they quickly fell off to a 3-5 record by midseason, finishing the season 6-10.

The Cowboys improved their defense before the 2005 season with the additions of first round draft picks Demarcus Ware and Marcus Spears. Parcells drafted these players in hopes of jumpstarting the team's transition from the traditional 4-3 defense to a 3-4 defense, which he believes favors the talents (power over speed and athleticism) of the current lineup. Jerry Jones also added a number of savvy veteran players, acquiring nose tackle Jason Ferguson and cornerback Anthony Henry via free agency, and linebacker Scott Fujita via the Kansas City Chiefs. On offense, the Cowboys felt the need to upgrade their passing game to complement their top 2004 draft pick, running back Julius Jones, and acquiring quarterback Drew Bledsoe via free agency. During his tenure, Parcells has made a point of signing players that have played for him in the past, including Bledsoe and Terry Glenn (with the Patriots), cornerback Aaron Glenn, wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson and as fullback Richie Anderson. In 2005, the Cowboys went 9-7, missing the playoffs by one game.

In 2006 the Cowboys signed controversial former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens. Keyshawn Johnson was released and signed with the Carolina Panthers. This may pose Parcells' greatest coaching challenge, although he maximized the talent of other controversial players such as Johnson and Lawrence Taylor. In the 2006 NFL Draft he selected players thought to be suited to his blue collar football philosophy, Ohio State linebacker Bobby Carpenter (son of Giant fullback Rob Carpenter, who played for Parcells from 1983-85) and University of Notre Dame tight end Anthony Fasano.

[edit] Coaching Style

Parcells is known as an "old school" football coach with a key emphasis on offensive ball control and a hard-hitting smash-mouth defense. His defenses are typically built around the linebackers and pressure on opposing running games and quarterbacks are the MO of his style. His defenses have frequently led the league in sacks and turnovers forced.

His teams featured a power-running attack, e.g., Joe Morris, Curtis Martin, et al, and an experienced quarterback not prone to mistakes, executing a ball control offense that maximized the team's time of possession. His offensive strategy stood in contrast to the more wide open West Coast offense followed by another iconic 1980s coach Bill Walsh of the San Francisco 49ers.

He tended towards experienced ball players who responded well to his disciplined style. Defensively, his teams were focused on the linebacker position and tried to play stingy, field-position football.

[edit] The Bill Parcells Coaching Tree

Parcells has also had extraordinary success in grooming his assistant coaches for eventual head coaching positions of their own. As of 2006, former Parcells assistants who are currently head coaches in either the NFL or the college ranks include:

In addition, Parcells disciples Ray Handley and Chris Palmer were also head coaches with the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns, respectively, at one time.

[edit] Personal

Parcells married his wife Judith in 1962. He is the father of three daughters named Suzy, Jill and Dallas. He divorced his wife after 40 years of marriage on January 16, 2002.

[edit] Miscellaneous

Parcells is very superstitious. He never picks up a penny with the tail side up because he believes picking it up would bring bad luck. When he had Harry Carson as a player with the Giants, he would have him at his side during the singing of the national anthem for good luck.

Parcells was the first coach in football history to be the recipient of the Gatorade Bath, compliments of Harry Carson. As the Giants went on a winning streak during their 1986 Super Bowl run, the team would dump a Gatorade bucket of ice water over Parcells's head. This is a tradition that is now common practice in high school, college, and professional football.

It is a Parcells tradition that each year, the first draft pick for that year fetches water for him during training camp and practice, purportedly as a way to keep the player's ego from getting too big (that honor has gone to Bobby Carpenter in 2006).

Parcells has coached in a Super Bowl in the last two decades (Super Bowl XXI, Super Bowl XXV, & Super Bowl XXXI).

Parcells has a remarkable 50-1 record when entering the fourth quarter with a lead of 11 points or more in his head coaching career. His one loss came from the Washington Redskins. The Redskins made an amazing comeback on national television, coming back from a 13-0 deficit to beat the Cowboys 14-13.

Parcells earned the nickname "The Big Tuna" when he responded to a statement from a player with the incredulous "Who do you think I am? Charlie the Tuna?" [1]

Patriots Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Pioli is married to Parcells's daughter, making Pioli his son-in-law.

Parcells is a Boston Red Sox fan. Growing up, the one thing Parcells' father was obnoxious about was being a fan of the New York Yankees. Parcells became a Red Sox fan because he thought that they were the only team that could beat the Yankees.

[edit] External links

Parcells @ the Dallas Cowboys

Preceded by: Dave Campo	Dallas Cowboys Head Coach 2003–present	Succeeded by: Current coach
Preceded by: Richie Kotite	New York Jets Head Coach 1997–1999	Succeeded by: Al Groh
Preceded by: Dick MacPherson	New England Patriots Head Coach 1993–1996	Succeeded by: Pete Carroll
Preceded by: Ray Perkins	New York Giants Head Coach 1983–1990	Succeeded by: Ray Handley
Preceded by: Ben Martin	Air Force Falcons Head Coach 1978	Succeeded by: Ken Hatfield

Dallas Cowboys Head Coaches
Landry • Johnson • Switzer • Gailey • Campo • Parcells

New York Titans/Jets Head Coaches
Baugh • Turner • Ewbank • Winner • Shipp • Holtz • Michaels • Walton • Coslet • Carroll • Kotite • Parcells • Groh • Edwards • Mangini

Boston/New England Patriots Head Coaches
Saban • Holovak • Rush • Mazur • Bengtson • Fairbanks • Erhardt • Meyer • Berry • Rust • MacPherson • Parcells • Carroll • Belichick

New York Giants Head Coaches
Folwell • Alexander • Potteiger • Andrews • Friedman • Owen • Howell • Sherman • Webster • Arnsparger • McVay • Perkins • Parcells • Handley • Reeves • Fassel • Coughlin

Air Force Falcons Head Football Coaches
Whitlow • Shaw • Martin • Parcells • Hatfield • DeBerry

Current National Football League head coaches
Belichick • Billick • Childress • Coughlin • Cowher • Crennel • Del Rio • Dungy • Edwards • Fisher • Fox • Gibbs • Green • Gruden • Holmgren • Jauron • Kubiak • Lewis • Linehan • Mangini • McCarthy • Marinelli • Mora • Nolan • Parcells • Payton • Reid • Saban • Schottenheimer • Shanahan • Shell • Smith

National Football League | NFL's 1990s All-Decade Team

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