IRVING – The last on-the-field tie to the Cowboys' Super Bowl teams of the 1990s is gone.
According to multiple sources, Mike Zimmer will be named Atlanta's defensive coordinator after he agreed to a two-year deal with the Falcons. The move ends a 13-year association with the only NFL team Zimmer has known.
Zimmer and new Falcons coach Bobby Petrino have a long friendship and worked together in 1987-88 at Weber State.
Zimmer's contract with the Cowboys was about to expire, and the Falcons sought permission to speak with Zimmer on Monday.
"I was concerned my contract was up in 20 days or something like that, and there was a possibility I might be out of work," Zimmer told Channel 11.
"I'm sure the other coaches feel the same way. At that point, you have to start thinking about other things. I never, ever would have thought about leaving Dallas, the Cowboys, the fans here. I love everything about the city and organization."
"I'm surprised," Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware said. "I didn't know he'd be leaving us. He's a great coach. Wherever he goes, he's going to make that defense excel."
Zimmer, 50, joined the Cowboys in 1994 as a defensive assistant. He was the defensive backs coach a year later, when the Cowboys beat Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XXX. He became defensive coordinator in 2000 and switched from the 4-3 to the 3-4 following the 2004 season, when Bill Parcells wanted to change to that scheme.
Petrino said the Falcons would use the 4-3 defense, which Zimmer is more familiar in running.
While Parcells' future with the Cowboys remains in the air, he conducted a second round of meetings with his coaches Tuesday, without Zimmer. If Parcells chooses to stay and hires a defensive coordinator from within, secondary coach Todd Bowles and linebackers coach Paul Pasqualoni could be the top choices.
Cornerback Terence Newman is a fan of Bowles, who joined the Cowboys in 2005 and worked with Parcells with the New York Jets.
"He played in the league, and I think he has an understanding of different things," Newman said. "Instead of running the same thing every week, he knows teams will figure that out and understands you have to change things up."
With Zimmer's departure, the Cowboys have four coaches with expiring contracts: Bruce DeHaven (special teams), Mike MacIntyre (safeties), Anthony Lynn (running backs) and David Lee (offensive staff assistant).
Report: Giants rebuff Parcells: A report in Tuesday's Newark Star-Ledger said the New York Giants rebuffed an overture from Parcells to become the team's next general manager.
The report said Parcells informed the Giants of his interest through an intermediary. The Giants are seeking a replacement for the retiring Ernie Accorsi.
The Star-Ledger said Parcells' age, 65, was one of the factors as to why he wasn't considered. The Giants want a younger general manager. That's why they reached out to Scott Pioli, 41, New England's vice president of player personnel.
The Patriots granted Pioli permission to interview with the Giants, but he declined the offer.
Parcells has one year remaining on his contract with the Cowboys.
Briefly: The Cowboys worked out cornerback Joey Thomas, a third-round pick by Green Bay in 2004, and kicker Kurt Smith, a sixth-round pick by San Diego. Smith is seen as a kickoff specialist. Former Arkansas defensive end Jeb Huckeba underwent a physical Tuesday. He worked out for the Cowboys last month.
Staff Writer Calvin Watkins contributed to this report.
E-mail tarcher@dallasnews.com
| ZIMMER'S IMPACT | | Here's where the Cowboys ranked in the NFL in total defense when Mike Zimmer was defensive coordinator: | | Year | Rank | Year | Rank | | 2006 | 13 | 2002 | 18 | | 2005 | 10 | 2001 | 4 | | 2004 | 16 | 2000 | 19 | | 2003 | 1 | | | |
