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Hurdle to Parcells is cleared

Bucs agree to build practice facility for likely coach and acknowledge contacting his agent.

[Times photo: Stefanie Boyar] Joel, left, and Bryan Glazer said at a news conference they hadn't contacted Bill Parcells. Later, they announced they had contacted his agent.

By RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published January 16, 2002

TAMPA -- Though Bucs owners said there had been no discussions before Tuesday with Bill Parcells, they won't let the Big Tuna wriggle off the hook.

The Bucs signed off on one of Parcells' last concerns Tuesday by committing to build a multimillion training facility in Brandon. Construction should begin in April.

As reported in the Times Friday, Parcells has a tentative agreement on a five-year contract to replace Tony Dungy and could be introduced as Bucs coach as early as Tuesday.

After an afternoon news conference of denials by team vice presidents Joel and Bryan Glazer, the Bucs formally announced they had contacted Parcells' agent, Jimmy Sexton, around 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Parcells, 60, is assembling a front office and coaching staff, which could include defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.

But Dungy, who was fired after six seasons Monday, and agent Ray Anderson said they attempted as early as last spring to end persistent speculation regarding the Bucs and Parcells by seeking a contract extension, whichthe owners rebuffed.

Indications are that other NFL assistants were being contacted by Parcells to work for him in Tampa Bay if he returned to the sideline.

"The reason we sought the extension was to quell any possible distraction about Tony's future and eliminate any speculation that would accompany the season, and our argument was not very persuasive," Anderson said.

"With regard to the Glazers and the Parcells camp and how it transpired, we'll leave all the questions about it to them. (Dungy's) going forward and hopefully he'll be considered for the jobs in Indianapolis, Carolina and San Diego."

The Glazers struggled Tuesday to field questions about their contact with Parcells, whom they first showed interest in hiring during Super Bowl XXXV in Tampa last January.

"We've not had conversations, but we're going to start that search next," Joel Glazer said.

"A guy like Bill Parcells, you've got to have a lot of respect for a guy like Bill Parcells. So to not think of him would be to not explore all the other candidates."

But Parcells remains the only candidate, and his coaching staff has begun to take shape.

All Dungy's assistants remain under contract, but the Bucs have granted only offensive coaches permission to talk to other teams. Kiffin and others on defense will not have that freedom until they interview with the new coach.

According to interviews with people close to the Bucs and Parcells, the two-time Super Bowl coach will name Dan Henning offensive coordinator.

Henning held the same position with the New York Jets from 1998-2000. Parcells is interested in raiding his former Jets staff for offensive line coach Bill Muir and strength coach John Lott.

The Washington Redskins have asked for permission to talk with Bucs director of player personnel Tim Ruskell. His possible departure could create a spot in Tampa Bay for Dick Haley, the Jets director of player personnel under Parcells. Todd Haley, the Bears wide receivers coach and son of Dick Haley, could be asked to coach that position in Tampa Bay.

Maurice Carthon, who has several years remaining on his contract as an assistant with the Detroit Lions, would draw interest from Parcells to coach running backs.

Several Bucs assistants, such as Kiffin, defensive line coach Rod Marinelli and linebackers coach Joe Barry, may opt to join Dungy in a new job. Marinelli likely would have offers to become a defensive coordinator in the league next season.

Dungy, who held a news conference Tuesday after his firing, was asked about reports of Parcells taking aim at his job before the season ended.

"Well, I guess I don't know as much about that as you guys know," Dungy told reporters. "Really, my job was to go out and try to win and that's what we tried to do. That's really all I can focus on."

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