Coaches

IRVING – Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on Thursday made Bill Parcells the sixth coach in franchise history.

Then he vowed to do whatever it takes to make the union between two strong-willed individuals a success.

"Frankly, I think the fact that Bill is sitting here says a lot about this organization and what we're willing to do to win," Mr. Jones said. "This is a partnership. I want to emphasize that. We're going to make this work."

Mr. Parcells, 61, who won two Super Bowl titles with the New York Giants and led New England to another, signed a four-year contract that will pay him $17.1 million. He will have authority over the coaching staff and a strong say in personnel.

He has spent the last three years out of football, his true love. Mr. Jones' commitment to winning persuaded him to return.

"I know Bill Parcells is not for everyone in this league. I have a full understanding of that and have had for many years," Mr. Parcells said. "It would have been easy for me to go to Saratoga in the summer and watch the races like I did last year. I enjoy doing it, but in the back of my mind, football was still there. It's what I am and what I do.

"I'm not ashamed of that anymore. I'm really not. I readily accept that. I'm going to make my best effort for as long as I can, and we'll see what happens."

Mr. Jones and Mr. Parcells had two face-to-face meetings in a courtship that began Dec. 18. Much of their dialogue focused on the relationship between coach and owner.

Mr. Jones, also the club's general manager, regularly attends practice, personnel meetings and film sessions. He often addresses the players in team meetings or in the locker room after games.

"I had to gain an appreciation for what's important to Mr. Jones - not just what's important to me," Mr. Parcells said. "As long as neither one of us is doing anything that's a deterrent to winning, I'm pretty much OK with anything."

The organization will follow a blueprint Mr. Parcells has devised in 15 seasons as a head coach. It's a plan that has worked everywhere he has coached in the NFL.

10 winning seasons

Mr. Parcells is 149-106-1, 13th in NFL history. He has had 10 winning seasons and made the playoffs eight times, going 11-6.

Mr. Parcells replaces Dave Campo, fired Monday after going 15-33 in three seasons. Mr. Campo went 5-11 each season. The Cowboys had never lost at least 10 games in three consecutive years.

Mr. Parcells' history suggests the Cowboys won't be moribund for long.

His previous teams (the Giants, Patriots and New York Jets) were struggling clubs that earned winning records two seasons into his tenure.

"It's rare to have the opportunity to attract perhaps the most qualified coach in our sport. If you sense that opportunity, then you want to grab it," Mr. Jones said. "You do this because this franchise has five Lombardi Super Bowl trophies. You do this because of the national and international recognition that this franchise receives, but most of all, you do it because we want to win.

"I stood at this podium almost 14 years ago and I said that we must win. We will win. Winning is the name of the game."

To prove it, Mr. Jones handed over control of his franchise to Mr. Parcells.

Dallas is 39-57 since 1997, including a 10-22 the last two seasons. Only three teams have won fewer games since the start of the 2001 season.

Mr. Jones expects that to change. More important, Mr. Jones has given his new coach the authority to make changes.

It will start with the coaching staff and shift to the roster and personnel departments.

Dallas had 17 coaches last season, including its strength and conditioning staff. Mr. Parcells said he expects to slightly reduce that number.

"I'll talk to some of them, probably not all of them," he said of the current staff. "I don't have a timetable. I don't care if it takes until July if I get what I'm hoping to get."

Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who received a two-year extension in September, is the assistant coach most likely to be retained.

"He has my prior approval on the coaching staff," Mr. Jones said. "I want him to have the coaches that can help him get the job done."

Finding a quarterback

One of Mr. Parcells' first tasks will be finding a quarterback.

Chad Hutchinson, who spent the last four years playing baseball in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, went 2-7 as a starter in the final nine games. Quincy Carter, a second-round pick in 2001, went 3-4 before being benched.

Mr. Parcells declined to commit about either player.

"Perhaps my quarterback is already here," he said. "If not, then we'll make every effort to get one."

Then there's the question of Emmitt Smith, the NFL's career rushing leader.

Does Mr. Smith return at a reduced salary or do the Cowboys release him and take the risk that he ends his career playing for another team?

Mr. Parcells said he wasn't sure what stance the club would take with Mr. Smith, but he'd like a decision made quickly.

No status quo

"Obviously there will be changes; there isn't any doubt about that," Mr. Parcells said. "When someone new comes in, it isn't going to be the status quo. I'm not prepared to do anything right now."

In the scouting department, the Cowboys just gave Larry Lacewell, the club's director of pro and college scouting, a three-year extension through 2005. Mr. Parcells might prefer to add one or two people who understand his draft philosophy on scouting.

It's unlikely, though, any change in that department will take place before the draft because the current scouting department already has spent a great deal of time scouting and grading players. They will spend the next two weeks attending all-star bowl games as the draft board begins to take shape.

"I realize this is a tremendous undertaking," Mr. Parcells said. "Will there be hard days? Yes, but I come here with a great deal of exuberance and determination."