Parcells retires from Dallas after 4 years

IRVING, Texas -- Bill Parcells retired from coaching Monday, leaving the Dallas Cowboys after four years without a playoff win and just two weeks after a stinging wild-card loss to Seattle.\nDuring a 19-year career that also included coaching the New York Giants, New England Patriots and New York Jets, Parcells made it to three Super Bowls, winning twice with the Giants.\nIn his last try earlier this month, the Cowboys blew a chance to beat the Seahawks when Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo botched a hold on a short field goal with a little more than a minute left.\nParcells goes out having lost four of his final five games, including the last three. His announcement came 15 days after the loss to Seattle.\n"I am retiring from coaching football," Parcells said in a statement. "I want to thank (Cowboys owner) Jerry Jones and (Cowboys Vice President) Stephen Jones for their tremendous support over the last four years. Also, the players, my coaching staff and others in the support group who have done so much to help. Dallas is a great city and the Cowboys are an integral part of it. I am hopeful that they are able to go forward from here."\nThe announcement came in a morning e-mail. There was no statement from Jones, the team owner, although one was planned for later in the day. There were no immediate plans for a news conference.\n"I am in good health and feel lucky to have been able to coach in the NFL for an extended period of time," Parcells said. "I leave the game and the NFL with nothing but good feelings and gratitude to all the players, coaches and other people that have assisted me in that regard."\nKnown best for a gruff demeanor and colorful quotes, Parcells leaves with the ninth most wins in NFL history and a career record of 183-138-1. He was 34-32 in Dallas, including 0-2 in the postseason. He had one year left at more than $5 million on a contract extension signed last January.\nBefore joining the Cowboys, Parcells led the Giants to Super Bowl wins after the 1986 and '90 seasons, got the Patriots to a Super Bowl and took the Jets to the AFC title game.\nHe gave up a job in television to return to the sideline in Dallas, energized by the challenge of restoring glory to "America's Team."\nWhile he definitely left the Cowboys better than he found them, his tenure ultimately may be remembered for the lack of a playoff victory. Dallas hasn't won a postseason game since 1996, easily the longest skid in the history of the franchise that's been to a record eight Super Bowls.\nThus, Parcells' legacy with the Cowboys can be framed this way: Instead of joining Tom Landry, Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer as coaches who led them to championships, he leaves lumped with Chan Gailey and Dave Campo as the only ones who didn't.