Wednesday, January 21, 1998

Reports: Jones has interviewed Seifert, Donahue for Cowboys post

IRVING, Texas (AP) - Former UCLA coach Terry Donahue interviewed with team owner Jerry Jones on Tuesday about the Dallas Cowboys' head coaching job, according to reports.

Donahue met with Jones in Dallas for the interview, according to several television stations and both The Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

The reports cited sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.

A source told the Morning News that Jones also has had several lengthy telephone conversations with former San Francisco coach George Seifert, including one on Monday.

Seifert, Donahue and Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak have come up most often in speculation about who will succeed Barry Switzer.

Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple on Tuesday night reiterated Jones' statement that he will not discuss the progress of the coaching search.

"Jerry has held true to the policy of not making any comments," Dalrymple said.

Donahue, interviewed by several reporters while boarding a flight at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Tuesday morning, said he was in town on a recruiting visit for Colorado coach Rick Neuheisel.

Seifert declined comment about whether he's interested in the Dallas job.

"The Cowboys are a fine football team, they have one heck of an owner who is very aggressive, and they have tremendous tradition," he told the Morning News. "Right now there are so many rumors and things out there that I would rather not say anything else."

Jones has said he probably won't name a coach until next month. He has publicly confirmed no candidates.