Write On Sports LLC - "No More Tuna" by Tyler Clifton

No More Tuna

2007-01-22 12:39:50 | By: Tyler Clifton

Things were getting fishy around Valley Ranch in regards to whether head coach Bill Parcells was staying or leaving. All signs pointed to the 65-year-old spending one final year with the Cowboys, but Tuna made it official this morning that his coaching career has come to a close.

It ends a four-year reign that fell far short of expectations when Dallas owner Jerry Jones lured Parcells out of his earlier retirement in need of a big-name coach after three straight 5-11 seasons under Dave Campo. Parcells took the Cowboys to the playoffs twice, but the franchise still hasn't won a postseason game since 1996. There were constant quarterback controversies throughout his tenure as well as the daily doses of Terrell Owens who was signed in the offseason.

Rest assured, the Dallas Cowboys are better now than they were before Tuna arrived, but they still haven't reached the elite status "America's Team" has been known for in the past with the likes of Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin.

Parcells' book has closed for now with a rather unique ending, as holder Tony Romo was unable to secure a snap on a chip-shot field goal that would have most likely sent Dallas to the NFC semifinals against New Orleans. Thirteen winning seasons in 19 years and two Super Bowl titles with the New York Giants while also posting impressive stops with the New England Patriots and New York Jets has Parcells heading toward Canton in the future. Jones could likely get what he desires in the return of Owens and must now find another big name head coach to fill in the gap.

Bill Cowher is a name constantly being thrown around as well as Notre Dame's Charlie Weis, Southern Cal's Pete Carroll and Arkansas' Houston Nutt. Tennessee Titans' Jeff Fisher has also been mentioned as a possible successor.

No matter who takes over, it's going to be a difficult task as long as Jones continues to make moves that alter the chemistry of the football team. There is plenty of salary cap room that can be coupled with the upcoming draft to keep the Cowboys heading in the right direction.

One thing that must be done in the meantime is a thorough coaching search with a healthy salary, because Jones has enough dough to shell out. It was evident in the millions of dollars he paid Mike Vanderjagt (look how well that one came out).

Parcells insisted he's retiring from football. No one knows if he smelled something rotten, but if there's a good time to get out, it's now. Tuna has left the building, and it's time for Jones to get the best coach possible and not chicken out.

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