Monday, January 12, 1998

Switzer: Seifert won't coach Cowboys

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Dallas owner Jerry Jones has two candidates in mind to become the Cowboys' next head coach, but don't look for George Seifert to get the job, Barry Switzer says.

"George Seifert will not be the coach of the Dallas Cowboys," Switzer told Oklahoma City television station KWTV-TV on Sunday.

Switzer, who resigned last week, said he and scouting director Larry Lacewell talked with Jones about a new coach last week and the three came up with two likely candidates. But Switzer declined to divulge their names.

Switzer said Seifert, the former San Francisco 49ers coach, was not one of them.

Seifert, coach of two Super Bowl champions and owner of the highest winning percentage in NFL history (.759), is considered one of the top coaching candidates available.

Meanwhile, The Dallas Morning News reports that Denver offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak has emerged as a leading candidate to become the Cowboys' fourth head coach.

At Jones' request, Switzer called Denver coach Mike Shanahan last week for his thoughts on Kubiak, the Broncos' offensive coordinator for the past three seasons, according to the newspaper.

The Washington Post earlier reported that Jones would like to lure Norv Turner from the Redskins. But Turner, with four years left on his contract, emphasized Friday he doesn't want to leave Washington.

Sources told the newspaper the Redskins would not give Jones permission to talk to Turner.

Other candidates include Terry Donahue, former UCLA coach; Jon Gruden, offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles; Miami coach Butch Davis; or perhaps even someone from Switzer's own staff such as defensive coordinator Dave Campo.