Retired or Not Retired? Big Tuna to Become Dolphins VP

Just 11 months after retiring for a third time from the NFL, Bill Parcells has landed himself another job. Except this time Parcells (or so he claims) won't coach. The Tuna is set to become the vice president of football operations for the Miami Dolphins. Yesterday, Parcells turned down a similar role with the Atlanta Falcons to take the Dolphins job. When Parcells ultimately retires from this gig, he will have retired more times than Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan. Both of them have retired three times.

I agree with Parcells that Miami is a better place to be than Atlanta, but I don't understand why he feels he has to get back in the game again. Parcells has never been able to make up his mind, as he goes from one job to another job more often than Nick Saban and Bobby Petrino.

Well, not as bad as them, but for being such a legendary coach, he really has not developed an identity in one place since he left the New York Giants after winning his second Super Bowl. I loved him when Parcells turned my New York Jets around, but he was gone so quickly I don't really feel a huge connection to him. I definitely still cherish those years, but I don't think of him as a New York Jet. Remember, he also turned the rival Patriots into a winner again as well, and took them to a Super Bowl, which he didn't do with the Jets. He left way the Jets way too soon, especially being after a bittersweet 8-8 season when Vinny Testaverde was injured in Week 1. That team was widely predicted to go to the Super Bowl. I'm sure Patriots and Cowboys fans feel the same way about him.

Parcells did do a good job in his one year as a GM with the 2000 Jets, but it is unclear if Parcells can be as successful in the front office as he was on the sideline. It is unlikely a successful coach will want to coach in Miami with Parcells hovering up above. I think only unproven coaches will be able to work under Parcells while he is a VP of the team. Forget about a Bill Cowher type down the road. The Dolphins do need a lot of help though, so hiring Big Tuna can only help. Even though he will only stay three or four years before hitting the dusty trail again. However, I don't understand Parcells's motives for wanting to return to the NFL fire once again. I wouldn't be surprised if Parcells returns to the sideline a year or two into his contract should Cam Cameron not be able to turn the team around, or if the team isn't unable to lure another coach to their liking. I guess the NFL is like a woman, you can't live with them and you certainly can't live without them.

Pat Morgan