Thursday, January 29, 1998

Cowboys owner: Don't expect new coach named this week

By MIKE BALDWIN

The Daily Oklahoman

IRVING, Texas - Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones cleared up several matters Wednesday, but gave no indication who his next coach will be.

Jones said he doesn't expect to name a coach this week; he will conduct a second interview Thursday in Dallas with Green Bay offensive coordinator Sherman Lewis; and he hasn't contacted the Broncos concerning Denver offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak.

Jones would not confirm or deny that there may be a "mystery" candidate who hasn't been mentioned.

Former UCLA coach Terry Donahue and former San Francisco coach George Seifert are believed to be the two leading candidates. Jones said he planned to talk to both Seifert and Donahue on Wednesday but was uncertain if he'd conduct another interview with either candidate.

Former Cowboys defensive coordinator Butch Davis spent most of the day Wednesday at the Valley Ranch complex. Davis, who has been head coach at the University of Miami the past two years, could be one of Jones' "fallback" candidates, along with scouting director Larry Lacewell, defensive coordinator Dave Campo and special teams coach Joe Avezzano.

"Butch, every year, has come back during recruiting," Jones said.

"We did not discuss the job or any aspects of it. We talked about the Super Bowl."

When asked whether a decision was imminent, Jones said, "I don't look for it to be done this week."

It would be beneficial if Jones hired his coach before Feb. 5, when the annual scouting combine begins in Indianapolis, but Jones says that's not mandatory.

Minnesota offensive coordinator Brian Billick has said he's interested in talking with Jones about a similar position in Dallas. Billick, though, rescinded his resignation with the Vikings on Tuesday, and Jones would not give details of his conversation with Minnesota team president Roger Headrick, who called Jones on Tuesday.

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)