Parcells Done

I was shocked.

On Monday, Dallas Cowboys Coach Bill Parcells announced his resignation. Following nineteen seasons, Parcells retires with a 183-138-1 record and two Super Bowl championships. He exited with anonymity and grace, befitting his status as one of the NFL’s legendary coaches.

Fifteen days ago, he appeared worn. The Cowboys collapsed and forfeited a division championship. Dallas then suffered a debilitating playoff loss. Parcells also endured an entire season of Terrell Owens. His practice habits, his media tirades, his mental abuse, his suicide attempt, and his self-absorption.

Despite this drain and drama, his return was anticipated. He was excited about his new quarterback. His career could not end with heartbreak. Parcells was a competitor. He would return for 2007. We were all incorrect. Sunday was Parcells final, silent twenty-four hours as coach.

Predictably, Owens crowed. “I am just hoping his retirement brings promise to what the team has to offer,” Owens said. “This past year was a big letdown. On paper we were as good as anybody we played against every week. The end result didn’t show that. Our play was not indicative of what we could have done. What we should have done. Hopefully, the owner will hire a coach to take the team to the next level.”

Parcells led four teams into the playoffs. His squads appeared in three Super Bowls and accumulated eleven wins. Owens’ next Super Bowl championship will be his first. We will never know the complete Owens-Parcells saga. I am unsure that I want to. I know a proud coach was forced to spend his final season with an oversized adolescent. If the Cowboys retain Owens sans Parcells, the injustice will be gargantuan.

Dallas is not America’s team. They have not been worthy of that distinction since Jimmy Johnson departed. Now, as America’s coach exits, we must examine the Cowboys for what they are… a collection of egos lacking a defining winner.