Report: Alabama not interested in Parcells TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama reportedly passed up a chance to hire two-time Super Bowl winner Bill Parcells as its coach, turning away a back-channel inquiry the day Dennis Franchione quit the Crimson Tide. The Birmingham News reported Monday that Alabama athletic director Mal Moore declined a chance to pursue Parcells for the vacancy after a series of phone calls made last week. A representative of Parcells, 61, called an Alabama alumnus Thursday with word the former New York Giants coach was interested in the Alabama job, the paper reported. No sources were cited. The alumnus contacted Moore, who reportedly said Alabama was looking in another direction in its coaching search. Moore later gave the same answer to another alumnus who heard of his refusal, the paper said. Neither Moore nor Parcell's agent immediately returned telephone calls Monday seeking comment. Carl Torbush, defensive coordinator under Franchione, has said he is interested in the Alabama job. New Orleans Saints assistant coach Mike Riley, who played at Alabama, also has expressed an interest. Parcells became the Giants' head coach after Ray Perkins quit the NFL job to succeed Bear Bryant at Alabama. Parcells has been out of coaching since 2000 but flirted with the NFL's Tampa Bay job earlier this year. Turning down Parcells wouldn't be the first time Alabama has passed on an opportunity to hire a high-profile coach since Bryant's death. Alabama in 1986 hired Bill Curry over Florida State's Bobby Bowden, a Birmingham native who has talked publicly of his desire to coach at Alabama. Curry went 26-10-1 before quitting Alabama to go to Kentucky. Bowden has since led the Seminoles to two national titles, winning at least 10 games during 14 consecutive seasons. I heard this while running yesterday morning and nearly fell over into the street in shock. Could there even be a nugget of truth to this rumor? Bama turning DOWN Parcells? Parcells wanting to go to a sanction filled college football team? I can see the latter b/c it seems like Parcells likes a challenge (taking over the lackluster Jets and Pats and turning them into contenders. He may get a kick out of trying to do the same with Bama). But I can't honestly see him enjoying recruiting.
