Wednesday, January 21, 1998

Cowboys bring in Terry Donahue for talks

By Josie Karp

Knight Ridder Newspapers

(KRT)

FORT WORTH -- Former UCLA coach Terry Donahue concluded a three-day visit to Fort Worth-Dallas on Tuesday where he interviewed for the vacant Cowboys head-coaching position, a team source said Tuesday.

Donahue arrived Saturday evening and left Tuesday morning, the source said.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones did not return calls from the "Star-Telegram". Donahue could not be reached for comment.

As he was about to board an airplane at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport on Tuesday, Donahue told a a reporter from radio station KLIF that he was in town "only to help (Colorado head coach) Rick (Neuheisel) on a recruiting trip."

Donahue is the first confirmed candidate to interview for the head-coaching position. Jones has said on numerous occasions within the past week that he has narrowed his list of candidates to three.

Former San Francisco 49ers coach George Seifert is believed to be on Jones' short list. Jones said last week that Seifert should not be ruled out as a candidate, although former Cowboys coach Barry Switzer told the "Star-Telegram" he didn't believe Seifert would be considered.

Jones has indicated he probably will not name a coach until early next month. He has not publicly identified any candidates.

Donahue fits the profile Jones has outlined for a new head coach. Jones said he was looking for a coach who "isn't saddled with criticism" and who is "focused on moving the ball" and "can work within the system."

He is known for producing strong offensive teams. And, he would likely not oppose moving into a situation where his coaching staff is largely determined. Jones has already extended the contracts of several assistant coaches.

An additional factor in Donahue's favor is his friendly relationship with Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, whom he coached at UCLA. Aikman captained the 1988 Bruins' team that went 10-2. Aikman made no secret of his unhappiness with the Cowboys' discipline under Switzer the past four seasons.

Donahue resigned from UCLA after the 1995 season and has since worked for CBS as a commentator on college football telecasts. During his 20-year career as head coach at UCLA, he compiled a 151-74-8 record.

Donahue's best season was 1982, when the Bruins finished 10-1-1, won the Pacific-10 and beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl, finishing the season ranked fifth in the nation. During his last four seasons at UCLA, the Bruins never won more than eight games (8-4 in '93) and had one losing season (5-6 in 1994).

Jones is known to be asking about potential assistant coaches, as well as head coaches.

Last week Jones was denied permission to speak with Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Brian Billick about a similar job with the Cowboys when the Vikings slapped a supervisory tag on Billick, preventing him from making a lateral move. Billick is trying to resolve his situation in Minnesota and possibly still interview for the Cowboys' position.

Billick was scheduled to meet with Vikings team president Roger Headrick on Tuesday to seek permission to pursue the Cowboys' offensive coordinator job. Headrick didn't show, although such a meeting might take place on Wednesday.

(c) 1998, Fort Worth Star-Telegram

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