Thursday, January 29, 1998

Jerry Jones sets second interview with Sherman Lewis

By Jean-Jacques Taylor

The Dallas Morning News

(KRT)

DALLAS - Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones, who said he doesn't intend to name a coach until next week, has scheduled a second interview with Green Bay offensive coordinator Sherman Lewis.

Jones said he is scheduled to meet with Lewis in Dallas on Thursday afternoon.

Lewis is at least the third candidate Jones has interviewed to replace Barry Switzer, whose resignation was announced Jan. 9.

Jones refused to say if there are additional candidates for the job, and he declined to say if he intends to ask Denver for permission to talk to offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak.

Lewis, former San Francisco coach George Seifert and former UCLA coach Terry Donahue are the only candidates Jones has publicly acknowledged interviewing.

Jones interviewed Lewis for more than two hours Monday morning, the day after Denver beat the Packers, 31-24, in Super Bowl XXXII.

Jones had second interviews that day with Donahue and Seifert.

Jones said he planned to speak to Seifert and Donahue before the end of the day Wednesday. He said it is likely he could meet with Donahue and Seifert again.

Jones said he has talked to players such as Deion Sanders and Charles Haley, who played for San Francisco, about how Seifert interacts with players. He also has talked to players on various teams who played for Donahue at UCLA.

Former Cowboys' defensive coordinator Butch Davis, in town recruiting for the University of Miami, visited Valley Ranch but did not interview for the job.

"Every year Butch has come by when recruiting. We did not discuss the job or any aspects of the job," Jones said. "It was a good general visit. He has never interviewed for the job."

Meanwhile, Jones said he spoke to Minnesota president Roger Headrick on Tuesday about Vikings' offensive coordinator Brian Billick.

Two weeks ago, Headrick denied Jones permission to talk to Billick.

Jones said he has not discussed compensation with Headrick, who must give Billick permission to join Dallas.

(c) 1998, The Dallas Morning News.

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