IRVING – Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said the call he made informing Norv Turner he would not be the team's next coach was a tough one.
From 1991-93, Turner was the Cowboys' offensive coordinator, and the Cowboys won back-to-back Super Bowls, the first two of three won under Jones' stewardship. In the process, he helped form Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith into the Triplets, and one day all three will have bronze busts inside the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Aikman was inducted last year. Irvin will be inducted this year. Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher, is not yet eligible.
"When we went into this, it was not with our friendship and relationship in mind," Jones said.
Turner said he and Jones will continue to have an excellent relationship even though he was passed over in favor of Wade Phillips. Turner will return to San Francisco, his hometown team, as the 49ers' offensive coordinator.
Throughout the process Turner said he already had a good job, and he enjoys working with head coach Mike Nolan. In the end, Jones chose Phillips because of his work in the 3-4 defense and his belief that Jason Garrett can mentor quarterback Tony Romo.
"I like Wade a lot," Turner said. "He's a good guy and a good coach. I think he'll do a good job."
