Parcells Resigns From Jets' Front Office

H E M P S T E A D, N.Y., Jan. 9 -- Bill Parcells resigned as director offootball operations of the New York Jets today, saying he’snot ready for the long-term commitment needed to turn the teamaround.

Parcells departs just 10 days after coach Al Groh resignedsuddenly to become coach at Virginia, his alma mater.

“The realization that a long-term commitment is now in order toserve the organization’s best interest is the main reason not tocontinue,” Parcells said in a statement released by the Jets.

Parcells’ resignation takes effect at the end of the month. Hemet for several hours with owner Woody Johnson on Monday, thesecond time the two had discussed the Jets’ future in the pastweek.

“We are obviously disappointed that Bill Parcells has made hisdecision not to return to the New York Jets next season,” Johnsonsaid. “During his tenure with the Jets, he resurrected a franchisethat had been struggling for a number of years.”

Since Groh left, Johnson had tried to persuade Parcells to stayand perhaps even return to coaching.

Turning Losers Into Contenders

The Jets failed to make the playoffs this season despite needingjust one win in their final three games. New York dropped allthree, including a 34-20 loss to Baltimore on the final day of theseason, and finished 9-7 in Groh’s only year as coach.

The 59-year-old Parcells coached the Jets from 1997-99, andturned a loser into a playoff contender. In his three seasons ascoach, the Jets were 29-19 and in 1998 made the AFC title game.

Parcells’ departure adds to the instability of the team. Sincethe end of the 1989 season, when Joe Walton was fired, the Jetshave had Bruce Coslet (four seasons), Pete Carroll (one), RichKotite (two), Parcells (three), Bill Belichick (one day) and Grohas coaches. Groh was elevated last January after Belichick resignedafter one day on the job.

Parcells made his reputation of turning losers into Super Bowlcontenders. But he failed to get the Jets to the title game eventhough he rebuilt the team from the minute he took over as coach in’97.