Saturday, January 10, 1998

Jones rules self out as candidate; George Seifert at top of list

By DENNE H. FREEMAN / AP Sports Writer

IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Jerry Jones says he has had two successful visions about the Dallas Cowboys franchise and they have produced three Super Bowl rings.

Now he says a third visage is upon him and he's excited about the NFL championships it's going to produce.

The first vision was the decision to fire Tom Landry and hire Jimmy Johnson when Jones bought the team.

The second vision, which came upon him during cocktail hour at a Florida bar during an NFL meeting, was to say adios to Johnson, his coach of five years, and get Barry Switzer off his couch in Norman, Okla., where he had been since dismissal at Oklahoma.

Now, part one of a two-part third vision was to buyout Switzer and hire the next coach, whom Jones expects to take the Cowboys proudly into the 21st century.

"I have a great plan, one that will work," Jones said. "I want someone with magic, spark, a good touch, someone who can energize the team. Those are very important ingredients and I will find that type of individual. "

Whatever vision Jones has must be given a stamp of approval from quarterback Troy Aikman, who never, ever got along with Switzer and didn't trust him from day one after disciplinarian Johnson was replaced.

Super Bowl quarterbacks don't get fired in the NFL. Coaches who can't get along with Super Bowl quarterbacks do.

"I see the image real clear ... real good," Jones said Friday.

Silver-haired George Seifert, still a little steamed because of the way his San Francisco 49ers career ended, could be the one to fit that image, that vision. His contract with the 49ers ends Feb. 1.

Seifert and Jones have been reported having dinner with each other on both coasts during the season.

"I will not divulge my interview process," Jones said. "The only speculation can come for me. If you see speculation, and it didn't come from me, then you can dismiss it. I have no details and no time frame of the process."

Jones has already proved he can keep a secret. Well, almost.

He went a good three weeks before the Switzer ouster leaked. Jones wasn't happy he didn't get to make the announcement his way.

This coaching search could be very secretive. There's speculation Jones would like to make the announcement Super Bowl week to make a big play, but that doesn't fall within Seifert's time frame.

Jones says he wants everything to be honeysmooth when the fourth coach in the history of the Cowboys makes his debut at Valley Ranch.

"Barry had a lot of criticism from the very beginning and I've got to make sure this coach is not saddled with that kind of criticism when he comes in," Jones said. "That's possibly my biggest challenge."

Knowing Jones, it would be most tempting for him to try the coaching job himself. After all, he long ago proclaimed himself in charge of everything else from jocks to socks to cheerleader uniform colors.

For example, Jones has already decreed the Cowboys will be going to a 3-4 defense next year.

But Jones' vision of a head coach isn't the same one he sees in the mirror.

However, the new coach will have to work closely with Jones, who proudly crows that he only missed four or five practices last season.

"I will be deeply involved," Jones said. "I know a change can often sometimes bring about a refreshing new attitude that can re-energize and refocus a group of people."

The new coach must be innovative offensively and insist on a code of discipline. Aikman will settle for nothing less.

And there will be another demand: the new coach can't be a gun enthusiast.

Luckily, for the Cowboys, top candidate Seifert likes to fish.