Parcells Staying For 2000

(AP) 
Although the coaching juices no longer flow, Bill Parcells still wants to be involved with the NFL. So he is remaining with the New York Jets as director of football operations for an indefinite period.

Parcells said Friday that he will oversee the team for the 2000 season, helping in the transition to a new owner, Woody Johnson, and a new coach, Al Groh. Parcells resigned as coach on Jan. 3 and was expected to leave the Jets entirely this summer.

"I indicated some time ago that I would not abandon this franchise," Parcells said. "I look forward to working with Woody Johnson and Al Groh in a collective effort to try to bring a championship to New York. I view my job very simply: to try to get good players for the coach."

Among those good football players presumably are the unprecedented four first-round draft picks of last month: defensive end Shaun Ellis, outside linebacker John Abraham, quarterback Chad Pennington and tight end Anthony Becht. Parcells also re-signed unrestricted free agent Mo Lewis earlier this week. The Pro Bowl linebacker signed a one-year tender offer while both sides work on a long-term deal.

But Parcells also traded the Jets' best player, two-time Pro Bowl receiver Keyshawn Johnson, to Tampa Bay in a salary dispute.

"My whole idea and thought process is to improve this team each year," Parcells said. "The only reason you should be in this business is to win championships."

Parcells won two of those as coach of the Giants, in 1986 and 1990. He also led New England to the AFC title in 1996, but lost the Super Bowl to Green Bay.

He left the Patriots to join the Jets in 1997, turning around a 1-15 team. The Jets went 9-7 in his first year as coach, barely missing the playoffs. They were 12-4 and won their first championship of any kind since the 1969 Super Bowl by taking the AFC East. New York lost to Denver for the AFC crown.

Last season, as injuries ravaged the roster, the Jets went 8-8, winning their final four games. Parcells seemed to be rejuvenated by the comeback, but one day after the season, he announced his resignation as coach.

While he has a proven track record as a coach, his resume as a personnel chief is more spotty. But new owner Johnson made it clear when he bought the team that he wanted Parcells to stay on.

"I am obviously delighted that Bill Parcells has decided to stay with the New York Jets," Woody Johnson said Friday. "Our sole objective since the purchase of the team has been to create a winning organization, attiude and team. Having Bill around to help us through this period is an enormous advantage to the franchise."

Groh became coach on Jan. 24 after Bill Belichick, Parcells' hand-chosen successor, instead quit. Belichick wound up as coach of the Patriots the Jets received compensation, including one of this year's first-round draft choices.

Groh has been a longtime assistant under Parcells.

"Bill's decision to remain in his current position means we kept a Hall of Fame performer on our team. What could be better than that?" said Groh.

Considering Parcells' 149 coaching victories and Groh's inexperience as an NFL head coach, perhaps having Parcells on the sideline would be better. But the Jets seem thrilled just to have him around at all.


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