Parcells hands control of Dolphins to GM Ireland
Bill Parcells has stepped down as head of football operations for the Miami Dolphins. Parcells has handed control of the team to general manager Jeff Ireland and will remain with the Dolphins as a daily consultant.
The Dolphins read in a statement that this was the original long-term plan when Parcells assumed the post following the 2007 season. Parcells was hired after the Dolphins finished a disastrous 1-15 season.
"This was the intent of the structure put in place in the past," the Dolphins said.
Parcells was hired by the Dolphins as the Vice-President (in charge of football operations) just months after retiring from coaching. The 69-year-old’s contract with the team expires in 2011 and he can leave at any time.
Parcells hired Ireland as general manager just days after assuming the position. He and Ireland had previously worked together for the Dallas Cowboys, the last team Parcells coached. Parcells and Ireland also hired Tony Sparano as head coach, who was one of Parcells’ assistant coaches in Dallas as the offensive line coach.
Parcells has made a career out of turning lowly teams around, having resurrected the New England Patriots and New York Jets previously as a head coach. He even helped build the heavily talented team that the Cowboys are today. Parcells won two Super Bowls as coach of the New York Giants, winning Super Bowls XXI and XXV.
After taking over in Miami, the Dolphins went 11-5 in the first season under the Parcells regime, winning their first division title since 2000. The Dolphins lost to the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the playoffs before suffering a setback season last year at 7-9.
Parcells addressed the team’s needs in the offseason, trading for Brandon Marshall to give the offence the wide receiver they desperately needed. He also signed linebacker Karlos Dansby to lead a young defensive unit. After a disappointing season for the defence, Parcells drafted seven defensive players in April.
Word out of Miami is that Parcells now feels comfortable with what he has built and is content to relinquish control. Parcells worked a full-time schedule this offseason, attending all training camp sessions and offering feedback to players. The team also feels comfortable together as the coaching staff and players all seem to be gelling well together.
Parcells may soon be done with football after spending so much time in the sport. A consultant is probably the only job he’d want in the NFL at this point in his life. He has left a great legacy in football and he’s put the Dolphins in a position to succeed for years to come. As of now, the Dolphins are still a young team and they may still be a couple of years away from a Super Bowl. However if they win one anytime in the foreseeable future, they know who to thank.
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