Several Cowboys players expressed mixed emotions about the retirement of coach Bill Parcells on Monday.
Receiver Terry Glenn, who played for Parcells in his rookie season in New England in 1996, had thought the coach would be returning.
"When I first heard the news, I was bummed out," Glenn said. "It was a real sad day for me and for my family. Bill has meant a lot to me, and just to see him stop doing something that he loves to do really hurts."
Defensive end Greg Ellis said he wasn't surprised to see Parcells leave. He indicated there were times in the regular season when Parcells didn't appear to have the energy to coach.
"You could see it on his face during the last year," Ellis said. "Obviously, when things went south, you could see him get frustrated."
In a Week 2 victory over Washington, Parcells looked ashen along the sidelines. He said he was dehydrated, and some former players called him expressing concern.
In a meeting after a loss to the New York Giants on Oct. 23, Parcells apologized to the team about his lack of energy. He vowed to pick up the pace, and it appeared he did.
"I'm pretty sure it does take a lot out of you being the head coach," linebacker Akin Ayodele said. "I think [his retirement] had something to do with [energy]. You have to understand also, he's a man making the best decision for him and his family, and I respect that.
"I want him to have his energy during the season. But after he talked to us, he seemed OK."
Parcells' emotions could be hard to judge. He gave nicknames to several players, including calling running back Marion Barber "Droopy." He also bonded with inside linebacker Bradie James and nose tackle Jason Ferguson. But he also had his feuds.
Free safety Keith Davis voiced his displeasure at Parcells after failing to earn the starting job early in the season. The two got into an argument during practice. Yet, after an Oct. 29 win at Carolina, Parcells kissed Davis on the forehead.
Parcells and receiver Terrell Owens didn't have a good relationship. But after the Carolina game, Parcells tweaked the bill of Owens' baseball cap as the two smiled at each other.
"Coaching here in Dallas has taken a few years off him," Ferguson said. "To me, when he said his homeboys were calling him saying what's happening to him, I had to look into his eyes every game. I said, 'What's up? How we feelin'?' "
Ferguson figured Parcells would coach one more season, and Glenn said he wanted the coach to finish his career with a Super Bowl title.
"I'm really sad about his," Glenn said. "I know what he loves to do, and he loves to coach. And to see him give it up like that. ... The Dallas Cowboys [job] is a high-profile spot, and a lot of things come with that. But I wanted him to win a championship before he left."
Staff Writer Brad Townsend contributed to this report.
E-mail cwatkins@dallasnews.com
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