High noon: Campo's firing expected today - 12/30/2002 - Dallas Cowboys News Conf @ 12:30 Central

The Dallas Morning News ^ | December 30, 2002 | By RICHARD DURRETT / Dallas Web Staff

[MeekOneGOP]

High noon: Campo's firing expected today

12/30/2002

By RICHARD DURRETT / Dallas Web Staff

IRVING -- Monday at 12:30 p.m. should mark the official end to the Dave Campo era of the Dallas Cowboys.

The team has called a news conference at Valley Ranch where they are expected to announce the firing of Campo.

Campo, the fifth coach in Cowboys history, finished his third consecutive 5-11 campaign with a 20-14 loss to Washington on Sunday, ending the Cowboys' streak of 10 consecutive wins against the Redskins.

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Jones hasn't named a successor to Campo yet, but former Giants, Patriots and Jets coach Bill Parcells is considered the frontrunner. Jones and Parcells have met twice in recent weeks, including Friday, when they talked for six hours.

Campo was named coach prior to the 2000 season after Jones fired Chan Gailey, now the head coach at Georgia Tech. Campo had spent the previous 11 seasons as an assistant coach with the Cowboys and was the defensive coordinator for the 1995 team that won Super Bowl XXX.

Campo's first team started the year 3-4, but lost seven of its next nine games to finish 5-11 and fourth in the NFC East. The Cowboys did beat Washington twice that season and Emmitt Smith topped 15,000 career yards. Before the 2001 season began, Campo dealt with questions at quarterback. Troy Aikman announced his retirement after 12 seasons with the Cowboys and Dallas drafted quarterback Quincy Carter from Georgia in the second round. Jones brought in veteran quarterback Tony Banks, but cut him just before the season started in favor of Carter.

The Cowboys started the 2001 campaign with an 0-4 record and never found much success. The team had two four-game losing streaks and finished 5-11 for the second consecutive season.

Campo, Jones and the Cowboys players had high expectations heading into the 2002 season. The Cowboys signed free-agent defensive end La'Roi Glover from New Orleans and had, according to draft experts, a solid draft. The Cowboys got safety Roy Williams in the first round and offensive lineman Andre Gurode and wide receiver Antonio Bryant in the second round.

The Cowboys started 3-3, but faded quickly. Carter was benched after seven games in favor of Chad Hutchinson, who had never thrown an NFL pass. The offensive line suffered injuries in training camp and never got on track. Plus, several of the Cowboys' losses were attributed to controversial Campo decisions.

For Campo, one of the few bright spots from the 2002 season came in October when Smith broke Walter Payton's NFL record for career rushing yards against Seattle at Texas Stadium.

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Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/latestnews/stories/123002dnspocowconference.3f0dc0a0.html

[MeekOneGOP]

Well, guys, it's been nice knowing ya !

[CougarGA7]

The question now is: How many draft picks will Tampa Bay get if Parcells is hired?

[lavrenti]

Yeah, they'll hire Parcells and draft the beloved Boy Simms in the second round (considering they'll lose a first round to the Tampa Bay Thugs).

Dennis Green is also available, another piece of work that'll guarantee Bengal-like numbers for the Jerry Jones circus.

[Corporate Law]

There are reports as many as six head coaches will be fired today. Parcells has the catbird's seat in all this, essentially being able to write his ticket wherever he wants, though I doubt he will go to Dallas and work under Jones.

[MeekOneGOP]

For Campo, one of the few bright spots from the 2002 season came in October when Smith broke Walter Payton's NFL record for career rushing yards against Seattle at Texas Stadium.

Yep, that's about it. I'd say that it's Jerry Jones that's doing the lousy job. Why did he fire Jimmy Johnson in the first place? It's been one mistake after the next. Sell, Jerry, and to a Texan !

It's always about ME !!

[mhking]

"Tuna watch?"

[discostu]

So long Dave, I'm sure you'll find a job as defensive co-odinator in short order, and for a better owner too. I'm really hoping Jerry picks up Tuna, I hate them both and having them in the same town would make my life easier. The best part will be 3 years later when Tuna blows town and convinces half the staff to quit too leaving Dallas in worse shape than when he got there. Hopefully 3 crapy years in Dallas will end his bid for the Hall. He's not a Hall of Fame coach, he's not innovative, he's not that good, and his attitude is bad for football. but Jerry deserves him.

[csvset]

Is Emmett holding his nose?

"Dang coach, you're stinking up the joint."

[CougarGA7]

Dick LeBeau (Bengals) and Tom Coughlin (Jaguars) have already been fired today.

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks for the comments folks. See #5....

[bigfootbob]

It's hard for me to believe Parcell's would coach for the megalomaniac Jerry Jones. That must be one hell of a contract. It won't last, what staff does Parcell's have left? They're all head coaches now.

[MeekOneGOP]

Is Emmett holding his nose?

"Dang coach, you're stinking up the joint."

ROFL ! I saw that too...

[discostu]

Anybody got a rumor mill list? We know Coughlin is gone from Jax, that was announced last night. Here's my suspect list but these are just my opinion: The Lions need a house cleaning (they should fire EVERYBODY, even the people running consessions, Mr. Randy-ratio shouldn't be long for this world (lets force 40% of our offense to a guy that admitted he doesn't work every down, brilliant plan!), the Bengals need to fire the owners, Martz may be toast in St. Louis (from Superbowl to toilet with almost no personal changes means the coach ran out of tricks). Guess that's 6 with Campo.

[KC_Conspirator]

Jerry Jones is the problem in Dallas. He's turned that team into crap, startign wityh his foolish personnel decisions. First and foremost is how he forced Campo to play Quincy Carter, who was an absolutely terrible QB. Then he did everything to force Emmitt, who is still the best player on that lousy team, to give up time to a below average RB.

[MeekOneGOP]

[CougarGA7]

Martz wont be gone from St.Louis. He lost two key offensive linemen to free agency during the offseason and got the wild idea that he could fill from within. Hopefully, he has learned a valuable lesson from that. With out the O-line being as strong, the quarterback didn't have as much time to throw, and Marshall didn't have the holes to run through that he usually had.

[Tall_Texan]

Since Jerry Jones: Jimmy Johnson, Barry Switzer, Chan Gailey, Dave Campo, next head coach (14 years).

Before Jerry Jones: ONE head coach (28 years).

[MeekOneGOP]

I hear ya, my FRiend. I hear ya. See #5....

[TightSqueeze]

He's not a Hall of Fame coach, he's not innovative, he's not that good, and his attitude is bad for football.

You know nothing, the Jets are still reaping the rewards from the Tuna's short stay, and just how many Super Bowl rings do you possess? Chump.

[B.O. Plenty]

Dang....I don't know how the world will survive! Dave Campo fired!...now the whole world is in big chicken fat trouble! Dave Campo fired....what a tragedy!

I don't think I will be able to sleep tonight for worrying......