Sunday, January 25, 1998

Seifert discusses the prospect of coaching the Cowboys

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Former San Francisco 49ers coach George Seifert says leading the Dallas Cowboys is an attractive prospect.

"I think they do have outstanding ownership that's committed to winning games," Seifert told KDFW-TV Friday. "They're committed to winning championships and they have fine players and a heck of a tradition."

Seifert made those comments after speaking at the NFL Experience, a pre-Super Bowl XXXII event.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones interviewed Seifert, who has the highest winning record in NFL history, for several hours Thursday. He insists, however, he hasn't decided who he will ask to replace Barry Switzer as the next Cowboys coach.

"I feel comfortable that we could work together. ... I've got to say we would be very compatible," said Jones, who noted that he and Seifert served together on the NFL's competition committee.

The feeling apparently is mutual.

"I enjoyed the one visit I had with Jerry," Seifert said. "He has a number of fine candidates he's interviewing and considering and I'm sure he'll come up with a very good coach and someone who can maintain the position that's been established there."

Jones said he plans to interview Green Bay offensive coordinator Sherman Lewis following the Super Bowl. NFL rules bar interviews with assistant coaches on Super Bowl teams until after the game.

Among the other reported candidates for the Dallas job are former UCLA coach Terry Donahue, Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, and former Cowboys defensive coordinator Butch Davis, the head coach at the University of Miami.

But Jones prides himself for being a hands-on owner, which raised questions from members of the audience at Seifert's speech.

When asked whether it would bother him to have Jones roam the sidelines, Seifert responded: "Jerry Jones owns the sidelines, so Jerry Jones can go where he damn well pleases."