Breaking News: Bill Parcells Retires

Bill Parcells, a two-time Super Bowl winning head coach, has retired again from the world of coaching. Parcells has been head coach of the Dallas Cowboys for the last four seasons. The announcement came Monday, two weeks after the Cowboys were eliminated from the playoffs by the Seattle Seahawks.

Parcells released a statement, posted by the Associated Press and ESPN.com: "I am retiring from coaching football. I want to thank Jerry Jones and 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." Parcells went on to say "I am in good health and feel lucky to have been able to coach in the NFL for an extended period of time. 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.'' Parcells' statement came via email. Dallas owner Jerry Jones is expected to make a statement later on Monday, but as of 1:30 PM on Monday there is no press conference scheduled for Parcells to speak at.

Parcells, one of the most successful coaches in the history of the league, won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants, one in 1986 and one in 1990. He is ninth for most wins by a coach with 183. While he did experience a winning record as Dallas head coach (34-32), he did not win a playoff game while with the Cowboys, going 0-2.

This is not the first time that Parcells has retired. In 1991 Parcells left the New York Giants, leaving a possibility open for a return to coaching. In 1996 he retired while head coach of the New England Patriots. Only eight days later he was signed by the New York Jets. Then, in 2000 he left the game again, saying that he would not return.

On ESPN II's morning show Cold Pizza, report Bob Glauber said he would "not be shocked" if Parcells would return to coaching one more time, possibly with a return to the New York Giants. The Giants recently gave much maligned coach Tom Coughlin a one-year contract extension. Many believe this was done simply because of the lack of high-caliber coaches available. If Coughlin has a rough 2007, Glauber stated that he would expect the Giants to make at least a phone call to Parcells.

(Statement and stats credited to the Associated Press and ESPN.com)