Exclusive Interview with Bill Parcells - “What Might Have Been”
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
I was in my office, at home, when I first heard that Bill Parcells was going to become the next head coach of the New England Patriots. And I remember thinking at the time that “this is big time.”
It sure turned out that way. And by the way, thanks for that, Coach.
The Patriots, of course, have gone onto bigger things in their history since Parcells left the Patriots’ sideline following the 1996 season and Super Bowl XXXVI – but there is little doubt that the path to becoming a modern-day NFL “dynasty” was paved by the coach called “the Big Tuna” by friends and foes alike. Parcells, along with former Patriots’ quarterback Drew Bledsoe, and defensive tackle Houston Antwine, are the nominees eligible to be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame for 2011.
Is there any doubt that he belongs?
“I really didn’t know much about this. I really didn’t know that this was in existence,” Parcells said Monday, speaking to reporters via conference call. “I really just wasn’t familiar that they had something like this going on. It’s quite a surprise to me, (but) I’m very flattered to be in that group and have very fond memories of my two times (once as an assistant coach) that I worked in New England there.”
When Parcells came in, many fans will recall, the Patriots were a franchise in desperate need of a new direction. And physically, they almost traveled in a new direction, saved from a possible relocation to St. Louis by the Kraft family. The team had been 14-50 in the previous four years before Parcells arrived, including an NFL-worst 2-14 in 1992. Coach Parcells brought the clout of a two-time Super Bowl champion (with the New York Giants) to the Pats’ sideline, and had the team in its own Super Bowl in his 4th season as head coach.
“Well, I remember going there, and in all honesty, the franchise was in, I don’t want to use the word disarray, but it certainly was unsettled. That would be the best way to put it,” Parcells recalled. “I do feel like when Robert Kraft took over the team, that was really a major step for stability for the franchise and for the Patriots themselves. And of course, now it’s one of the premier franchises, top three or four in the league, no doubt.”
The scary part for any Patriots’ fan to consider, however, is what “might have been.” While team success over the past 15 years has been unquestioned, if not for some unspecified misunderstandings between Parcells and Robert Kraft, the Pats’ push to the top of the NFL might have happened differently.
Or, more quickly.
“Let’s say we had a couple domestic misunderstandings with the ownership. I do regret that,” Parcells said. “Those things have since been resolved. I think retrospectively, I would’ve handled things substantially differently than I did. And, I was always saddened by the fact that I had to leave there, and in all honesty, didn’t really want to.
“I’m sure Bob [Kraft] would say something along those lines himself because we have talked about that,” Parcells continued. “You can’t help but talk things over a little bit. We haven’t ever had a lengthy conversation about it, but I’m not speaking for him. I really am not. I just think that both of us know, and certainly I know, I can speak for myself, I would’ve probably handled things differently.”
Suffice to say, however, that things turned out okay, anyway. But it is interesting to note that Parcells, with his intimidating style and often gruff mannerisms, holds a soft spot for his time spent prowling the New England sideline. And the time he spent here, is appreciated…thousands and thousands of times over…every single autumn Sunday.
John Rooke has been the stadium “Voice of the Patriots” since Parcells’ arrival in 1993. Fans have the opportunity to vote for the nominee they feel is most deserving of the Hall of Fame honor, by visiting www.patriots.com before May 15.
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