Parcells' choice narrows to the Patriots or Jets

Sporting News, The, Dec 23, 1996 by Bob Glauber

There are two things you should know by now about Bill Parcells. No. 1, he is one of the most gifted football coaches on the planet, a man who pushes his players' psychological buttons with the ease of an elevator operator. No. 2, his ability to create an air of mystery about his future whereabouts makes him the NFL equivalent of Larry Brown. You just never know where the guy will end up next.

Come to think of it, I'm convinced Parcells is so good at inviting speculation about his next move because he has no idea what he 11 do next himself

Remember, you're talking about a man who was so fed up with coaching that he was telling people around the league only a year ago that the biggest mistake he ever made was getting back into the business in the first place after his two-year hiatus (1991-92). He's a guy who, on the day he took the Patriots' job in 1993, said, "This will be my last job." And then, only last week on a local talk-radio station in Boston, he said, "My intention when I came here was that this would be my last job. You know, things change. I reserve the right to change my mind on anything."

So after 12 years of trying to figure out this man's next move, I have decided the following about what hell end up doing next year Almost anything is possible.

He could stay in New England, where I'm convinced he'd be better off than anywhere else. He could be swayed by Jets owner Leon Hess' millions--maybe even a small ownership stake--to bring that team out of its medieval gloom. He could go to Atlanta, where he was rumored to be headed after leading the Giants to their first Super Bowl victory in January 1987. He could be enticed by some other team--perhaps the Lions--who will be in the market for a new coach. Or he could simply walk away from coaching, although the twin passions of his life--the competition and the money--may prove too tempting at this point.

The only thing I do know is that he will not be reunited with the Giants, despite recent speculation that suggests his old team is interested. As long as general manager George Young lives and breathes and cashes a paycheck embossed with the Giants logo, there will be no return to Big Blue for the Jersey-born-and-bred Parcells.

So what's a two-time Super Bowl winning coach with a 10-5 team to do? Well, Parcells isn't saying. In fact, he is growing weary of al the speculation surrounding him--at least outwardly.

"I'm not answering any more questions about that. so it's going to be dead silence when that comes up," Parcells says. "So write it. It's deadly silence."

But for all his public frustration, Parcells has to be laughing inside. Laughing all the way to his bank of choice after signing a new deal for $10 million to $15 million. After all, by creating an air of indecision, Parcells is creating huge leverage for his next contract, which is certain to be the richest ever signed by an NFL coach.

At this point, it appears to be a two-team race between the Patriots and Jets for his services. Here's why:

* Patriots owner Robert Kraft who this year lessened Parcels' role in personnel and has reportedly been at odds with the coach on a number of issues, is at a major disadvantage. Not only does he have a team built in Parcels' image, one that appears close to winning the first Super Bowl in Patriots history, but he is trying to sell the public on a financing package for a new stadium.

But if he loses Parcells, he runs the risk of losing the venue and the opportunity for immense stadium revenues. Word has it the Patriots might be interested in Texas coach John Mackovic as a possible successor. Not a very enticing thought, even if Texas did manage to beat Nebraska this season.

* The Jets would be foolish not to make a run at Parcells. But to do so, Hess would be required to open the vault from which he removed about $70 million for free-agent contracts last offseason. Not a problem, considering Hess has money to burn.

So what would be the attraction for Parcells in New York? Well, personnel-wise, this team is not as bad as its 1-14 record would indicate, and Parcells would be welcomed as a hero capable of a quick turnaround. He would have Ron Erhardt, his old offensive coordinator, to maintain a sense of continuity on one side of the ball and would instantly improve a defense that has plenty of talent but little direction from an overmatched coaching staff. And, perhaps more important, he would have an owner who believes it's best to let the professionals handle the football operation.

It's a tough choice, but one that Parcells will eventually wrestle with once the Patriots play their final game--sometime in January. Of course, just when that goal game is played may have a lot to do with where he ends up. If the Patriots pull the upset and win the Super Bowl--highly improbable, at this point--then Parcells should kiss the Vince Lombardi Trophy, hop on a plane to LaGuardia, take Hess' money and save the Jets.

But if New England falls a game or two short of the Big Show--the more likely scenario--then Parcels should ask for as much of Kraft's cash as he can and shy with the Patriots. New England has enough building-block players, including Drew Bledsoe, Curtis Martin and Terry Glenn, to eventually give Parcels his third Super Bowl title and a sure ticket to the Hall of Fame.