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Home > Jeff Schultz > Archives > 2009 > February > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USDallas messed up with Dan Reeves
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s still not out of his system. He is 65 years old and six years removed from his last coaching job. He has weekly radio shows, sits in a broadcast booth every NFL Sunday and is financially secure. Why isn’t that enough for Dan Reeves?
“I haven’t been able to get it out of me,” he said Thursday. “I was in Dallas, watching film with their coaches for 2 1/2 days, studying their running game. It felt great. It got my heart beating.”
Dan Reeves wants back in football. To say he is desperate would be overstating things because otherwise he would be in the employ of the Dallas Cowboys today.
The former Falcons coach temporarily shelved a job offer to be San Francisco’s offensive coordinator nearly two weeks ago so that he could explore a sudden opportunity with Dallas, where he played and coached for 16 years. Two days later, when he believed the position as Cowboys’ “advisor” was secure, he turned the 49ers down. But Reeves ended up with nothing when he and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones could not agree on contract language.
This may all seem a little strange, except that we are talking about the Cowboys, the most high profile dysfunctional franchise in professional sports. Reeves yearned to help his friend, coach Wade Phillips, elevate the team to something north of cartoon. Instead, he ended up walking out.
“They say hindsight’s 20-20,” Reeves said, when asked about turning down the offer from 49ers coach Mike Singletary. “I guess I can say now I should’ve taken the job out there. But for family reasons, Dallas was a better opportunity.”
He played and coached for 16 years in Dallas. He has two daughters who live there. His son-in-law, Joe DeCamillis, just became the Cowboys’ special teams coach.
“It seemed like a great fit,” he said.
Reeves said the two sides had reached a verbal agreement on salary and responsibilities. He would have input on personnel, philosophy and game plans. He would help in issues related to moving into the Cowboys’ new stadium.
He would be called only “advisor,” which left his job description intentionally broad and vague.
But when Reeves saw the actual contract Wednesday, something was wrong.
“The deal was basically done,” he said. “Then I got the new contract and there were things in there I felt I couldn’t live with. I talked to Jerry at noon. He felt those things were important to him but I felt they were important to me. In the end, we thought it was best to move on.”
The Cowboys released a statement, saying only that they were “unable to reach an agreement [on] details.”
Reeves again: “It’s so trivial that if I tell you, people will say, ‘That’s ridiculous. Why couldn’t you just sign the contract?’ But if it’s that important to me and him, maybe it’s not ridiculous.”
You know what’s ridiculous? That regardless of what this minor issue was, Jones wouldn’t make a concession. It would have been Dallas one step closer to normalcy. Instead, he’s still sharing office space with Terrell Owens.
Reeves is too bright, too classy and certainly too available to not be part of an NFL organization. He was a head coach for 23 years in Denver, New York and Atlanta. He coached the Falcons to an improbable Super Bowl in 1998. But he was fired five years later after a 3-10 start, a season in which Michael Vick watched from the sideline on crutches with a broken leg. The season before with Vick, the Falcons went 9-6-1 and upset Green Bay in the playoffs.
Vick’s greatest success came under Reeves. When San Francisco hired former Falcons quarterback coach Mike Johnson — who recommended Reeves to Singletary — and offered the coordinator’s job to Reeves, some speculated the 49ers were preparing to sign Vick. But Reeves said, “That was never mentioned to me.”
He still wants to coach. Knee replacement surgeries have him feeling stronger than in years. The postseason gave him an adrenaline rush.
If another opportunity comes up, Reeves said, “I would be interested, for sure.”
Instead, it’s probably back to a radio booth. “I had put all that stuff aside, not thinking I would be going back to it,” he said.
Suddenly, retirement seems out of place.
Permalink | Comments (47) | Post your comment | Categories: Falcons/NFL
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By keith brooking
February 5, 2009 5:21 PM | Link to this
Im glad dan didnt go back to dallas. jerry jones is an A**HOLE. I would like to have seen what he could have done as offensive coordinator for the 49ers.
By Vick Beleaver
February 5, 2009 5:23 PM | Link to this
Forget the sorry Cowboys!!!
The Falcons done messed up with MIKE VICK went that sorry Arther Blank put him in jail for NO REASON!!!!!!!!!!!
By Doctor Henry
February 5, 2009 5:28 PM | Link to this
So Reeves is still interested in coaching? The men’s basketball job at UGA is apparently open? But seriously I think he would have been a great hire for a team that has struggled for a while…St Louis, KC, Detroit, Cleveland….Let’s face it, He was the most successful coach the Falcons have ever had not including the current coach…Good luck Coach Reeves.
By Josh M
February 5, 2009 5:29 PM | Link to this
Have the 49ers filled the OC spot?
By brent
February 5, 2009 6:36 PM | Link to this
vick beleaver haha you didnt even spell your name right and the last sentance you posted made no sense at all at all michael vick is in jail because of michael vick not arthur blank thats the dumbest most idiotic thing i have ever hard come out of a human beings mouth ever
By Dr. P.
February 5, 2009 6:37 PM | Link to this
Reeves is a class guy. Dallas is, indeed, a dysfunctional football team. It seems that any criminal with talent can play there. I always thought that Dallas would be the most likely team to pick up Michael Vick. I hope that Reeves finds another job in football, but I am glad that he turned down Jerry Jones. As for Vick, he has paid dearly for his illegal hobby. I wouldn’t object to Vick playing somewhere, as long as it isn’t Atlanta.
By TheManMike
February 5, 2009 6:53 PM | Link to this
HeHe - VB is here also. I was just commenting on the other “older” blog about this name. It must be a joke. Either way, he/she seems to have nothing really constructive to speak on, and should know that they have been found out as an imposter and need to just stop - its rather lame.
Saying that, the following will be strange - I agree with VB. I really am not a Dallas fan, at all. I’m glad a classy Reeves walked out on Jones. Jerry Jones seems like Jackie Treehorn from The Big Lebowski - something about him.
Keep it civil, or i may not return, like alot of other fans. Maybe… ;)
Go Birds.
By LAWTON
February 5, 2009 7:15 PM | Link to this
I wished he took that 49er job. i was actually p** at singletary, thinking he hired that other guy over reeves, but it was reeves who turned down the job. anyway, reeves is the best coach the falcons ever had, and that includes mike smith. its a shame that arthur blank wanted to put his imprint on the falcons by firing reeves and getting his own coach. anyway, hope reeves gets another opportunity.
By Jeff Schultz
February 5, 2009 7:19 PM | Link to this
Doctor Henry: I don’t know if Dan will ever get another head coaching job offer, but obviously he’s open to assistant/consutant jobs if its the right fit. He told me he really liked Singletary in San Francisco, which is why he was interested in that job. His friend Wade Phillips and the chance to go back to Dallas obviously is what drew him to Dallas. … Josh … The 49ers hired Jimmy Raye as OC the other day. He’s been around a long time and coached for several teams, including the Falcons. …. *The Man Mike: I wonder what the Coen Brothers would do with a movie about the Dallas Cowboys. … JS
By EBMizzou
February 5, 2009 7:20 PM | Link to this
How about OC at Georgia State? How cool would that be? Work close to home. Build a new program. Vastly diminished chance of working with spoiled ingrates.
By DirtyDawg
February 5, 2009 7:21 PM | Link to this
Wonder if the contract issues that became the stumbling block included ‘Dan not being allowed to wear a Tom Landry-style hat at anytime he was around Jerry Jones, or to ever mention that ‘that’s the way Coach Landry would have done it?’
Somehow I have to believe that the problem was over Dan Reeves long-time association with the Tom Landry period with the Cowboys and the fact that Jones, no matter how long he owns the team will never measure up to the class act that was Tex Schramm, Tom Landry and Gil Brandt.
By EBMizzou
February 5, 2009 7:22 PM | Link to this
How about OC at Georgia State? How cool would that be? Work close to home. Build a new program. Vastly diminished chance of working with spoiled ingrates.
By Jeff Schultz
February 5, 2009 7:28 PM | Link to this
EBMizzou: Not sure if you were joking or not, but Dan could’ve been the head coach at Ga-State and he turned that down, so I doubt he’s going to want the OC job. He’s an NFL guy. … JS
By falcon21
February 5, 2009 8:37 PM | Link to this
If JJ jackass had half of a brain, Reeves would have been cowboys head coach years ago. Dan Reeves is a class act.
By The Grinch
February 5, 2009 9:16 PM | Link to this
I’m sorry that Dan didn’t get the job he wanted, but I’m of the opinion it would’ve ended badly anyway. He has much too much class to fit in with that crowd.
By Najeh Davenpoop
February 5, 2009 11:58 PM | Link to this
Dan Reeves is a pretty good coach but not a good personnel guy. He deserves better than that circus of an organization though. I wish he had taken the 49ers offensive coordinator job… would have been nice if they tried to reunite Vick and Reeves.
By TheAntiMe
February 6, 2009 4:12 AM | Link to this
Congratulations to Jerry Jones as he has just been “honored” with the “Bozo The Clown” lifetime achievement award for his ongoing comedy routine of being the owner of the Dallas Cowboys.
Here’s to Jerry Jones, the only man in the history of the NFL to make Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis seem like a practical good-sense owner, by comparison. Cheers!
By One Man's View
February 6, 2009 8:32 AM | Link to this
Jerry Jones seems desperate. Why would anyone in their right mind put the cancer Terrell Owens on their team. Secondly, he has done nothing but undermine Wade Phillips ever since he hired him. No head coach wants people second-guessing them including Dan Reeves. Furthermore, I really doubt if Reeves is up to the rigors and sophistication of today’s NFL. I always thought that Steinbrenner was the worst ponmpous-a* owner around, but Jones may be worse.
By BUSHWACKER 76
February 6, 2009 9:42 AM | Link to this
Jerry “BOZO” Jones is an idiot, he has no clue, Jimmy Johnson built the teams that won 3 Super Bowls foer him, he should let another football guy take over and bring some respect back to Dallas.
Jones should simply talk to former players of Dan Reeves, he is one of the most respected coaches the NFL has ever had, the 98 Falcons loved playing for the man, he commands respect and that is what the Cowgirls need!
Jones should fire Wade Phillips and himself and give the shooting match to Reeves, one of the ORIGINAL COWBOYS!!!
I guarantee he would get them back to the Super Bowl!
By Bobby Dowell
February 6, 2009 10:02 AM | Link to this
Maybe the only person that is dumber than vick is “Vick Beleaver”. Please evolve.. and go back and get your GED, it’s never too late.
By Booming Bummer
February 6, 2009 10:07 AM | Link to this
Jeff, can Jerry be impeached as president of the Cowboys? Jerry and the exgovernor of Illinois share much parity in scrutiny of business character. Dallas is located in what was part of the old west,could the great people from the State of Texas just run Jerry out of Dodge?
By Booming Bummer
February 6, 2009 10:08 AM | Link to this
Jeff, can Jerry be impeached as president of the Cowboys? Jerry and the exgovernor of Illinois share much parity in scrutiny of business character. Dallas is located in what was part of the old west,could the great people from the State of Texas just run Jerry out of Dodge?
By Jeff Schultz
February 6, 2009 10:27 AM | Link to this
Booming: You could impeach the president (Jones) and general manager (Jones) but then the owner (Jones) would just rehire him.
By The It Boy
February 6, 2009 11:38 AM | Link to this
This whole mess is the fault of George W. Bush, who is obviously behind anything that does not work out.
Only our Savior Obama can fix this mess.
Jerry Jones should hire Obama, since Obama can do anything and everything.
Pass me some more Obama Kool-Aid.
By Ssgreeno
February 6, 2009 12:54 PM | Link to this
I used to think these comments were made by genuine sports fans who were making good points. Then some idiot makes a statement that Arthur Blank put Vick in jail. If anyone was wondering if they allowed mental asylum patients to use computers, you have just gotten the answer. I wish the AJC would screen out these kinds of comments and let the real fans communicate.
By blue
February 6, 2009 1:23 PM | Link to this
Brent; “sentance”, “hard” instead of “heard”, and apparently no grasp of punctuation (if you even know what it is). Point is; talk about the subject when you are as stupid as you are rather than talking about somebody’s inability to spell. Or maybe you will understand it better if I say “u shudent rite about other peeple beeing bad spellurs if u r an idiut”
By bali
February 6, 2009 1:51 PM | Link to this
good artile on a good man. Glad he did not sign with the cowboys. Class individual like Coach Reeves needs to be on some team s payroll , just not the cowboys of today. Wish the Braintrust of the Falcons would consider him.One of the worst moves the Falcons ever made was firing Reeves when they did.
By Jeff Schultz
February 6, 2009 2:46 PM | Link to this
Just a little update here. Some Dallas media outlet are quoting unnamed sources as saying the contract clause that Reeves objected to had to do with Jones wanting some sort of guarantee that Reeves would work all of the hours the owner felt necessary to cover his responsibilities. If this is true, it’s easy to understand why Reeves walked away. How more can you insult somebody who has spent his entire adult like in football?
By Tim in Hobe Sound
February 6, 2009 2:51 PM | Link to this
I think Reeves is looking for a sweet deal like Parcells got with the Dolphins. Maybe teams should hire more of these experienced coaches to give their input. It’s working for the Dolphins. Isn’t it fun to watch the Cowboys lose!!! Couldn’t happen to nicer folks. I hope it’s another 12 years before they win a playoff game.
By The GodBlogger
February 6, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this
I did a commercial with dan reeves for a heart medication called zocor or zucor, back in the nineties. I played a chain-holding ref and I was standing in front of Reeves as they filmed him pacing back and forth, behind me, yelling at another ref over a call. Now, my agent told me that if I could glean about 2 seconds worth of recognizable face in that commercial that I could make some real dough. So I kept leaning left or right as Reeves crossed back and forth in and out of my closeup, (mr deville).
All of a sudden out of nowhere comes the director like a hornet. He sticks his face into mine and sez, “I want you to take that stick and go far, far away.” he pointed toward the opposite end zone, effectively kicking me off the set. There were 500 extras in that shot all staring at me like, “What a loser”. I did the walk of shame, with my head down, knowing I had blown my commerical career and everything. I cried that night. Sometimes I remember it and cry again.
By ernisTbass
February 6, 2009 3:44 PM | Link to this
I saw in a Dallas media report that Jerry Jones had demanded that Dan go to a strip club at least three nights a week and incur at least one DUI within 90 days of being hired. Dan respectfully declined as he mumbled under his breadth something about Tom Landry rolling over in his grave.
By Hillbily Deluxe
February 6, 2009 4:13 PM | Link to this
Looks like Jerry Jones treated Dan almost as shabbily as Arthur Blank did.
By country boy
February 6, 2009 5:04 PM | Link to this
Jeff, I agree that Dan Reeves is a “good” professional coach and an asset to a team such as Dallas. I feel that honesty should compel you to report Reeves major weakness which crippled our Falcons for years. Under him we had among the worst drafts in which we picked poor players too high in the draft order. Ex. - Michael Booker #11 overall in ‘97 , Bob Hallen 2nd round ‘98 , Reggie Kelly for 1st round pick in ‘00 , Travis Claridge our first pick in ‘00 draft , T J Dockett 18th overall in ‘02. Let’s not omit MV the cluster #### with was the overall first pick in the ‘01 draft. While Reeves has many admirable qualities as a coach his record in evaluating players is very poor.
By Birdfan
February 6, 2009 6:13 PM | Link to this
Jeff,
Al Davis is really going to be upset when he hears that you think the Cowboys are ‘the most high profile dysfunctional franchise in professional sports’. Al thinks that designation applies exclusively to the Oakland Raiders.
By Fact
February 6, 2009 7:56 PM | Link to this
The universe was created when man first observed it. Fact. ( and fool’s proof of God.)
By Dr. Warren
February 7, 2009 12:35 AM | Link to this
Any news about Dan’s heart condition? As I recall, that was serious stuff during their Super Bowl run, and he’s 10 years older now. The wife can’t be happy about this. But hey, any mortal that can take the Falcons to the Super Bowl, well, perhaps he’ll live to 120.
By Paddy
February 7, 2009 10:08 AM | Link to this
Vick Beleaver… you are one funny dude. Keep ‘em coming. I don’t care who you are that there is funny.
By Old Dawg
February 7, 2009 1:49 PM | Link to this
I really think the best use of Coach Reeves talent and experience would be to work with high school football players, teaching them the values of good academic standing, good sportsmanship and overall ethics.
With his experience and a player, coach, father etc, would create instand admiration from the new generation of players and they wouldlearn invaluable lessons.
By Rob
February 8, 2009 12:10 AM | Link to this
I am a longtime Cowboys fan and the best and worse that happened to Dallas was winning Superbowls. Jerry Jones is delusional and egotistical. Even the understated, Troy Aikman ,hinted the obvious that he has no clue what Jerry is doing (para). Is Kraft camera seeking or is he old school? I think Tom just threw his fedora.
By stendec
February 8, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this
Will not post again for a long time. Lost fire for sports. Only son of niece murdered. The Heavenly angel was only a few months old.
A parting gift for all my Falcon friends. Yes, I said friends:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Atlanta-Falcon-Super-Bowl-Disaster
“There’s a place…where I can go…when I feel low…when I feel blue…when I’m alone.” The Beatles.
God bless.
By Mona
February 8, 2009 11:00 AM | Link to this
MIKE VICK should not have raped the dogs.
JAMAL ANDERSON should not have had the drugs.
By mars
February 8, 2009 3:36 PM | Link to this
stendec, that’s awful. My prayers are with you. The biting comment I had for Vick Beleaver now seems shallow and meaningless. God bless you.
By JSS
February 8, 2009 4:28 PM | Link to this
Another day, another Jeff Schultz diatribe about ancient history and the writers of it… Earth to the NO TALENT HACK, the 21st century is awaiting your arrival (or hopefully departure)!!! Creep!!!
By Larry
February 8, 2009 7:15 PM | Link to this
Dan was a good coach, and a better man, but one must question his common sense to turn down an offer in hand before finalizing a deal with a “Jerry Jones.”
By FalconUGAFan
February 9, 2009 7:11 AM | Link to this
stendec, God bless and comfort you and yours.
By FalconUGAFan
February 9, 2009 7:32 AM | Link to this
Larry, Perhaps Reeves felt like he could come in and help clean up things. It most be a very strong pull for someone of his background.
By Larry Fitzgerald is too fine!!
February 9, 2009 11:06 AM | Link to this
Jerry Jones is a JERK. I really have to wonder was he really serious about hiring Dan Reeves in the 1st place or just wanted to stick it to the 49ers. Everybody can see that the 49ers are well on their way to regaining respectability in the league. Also, Dallas and the 49ers are old-time rivals.
So it would be right up the alley of this old frog-eyed, fish-lipped Jerry Jones to screw them by trying to throw a monkey-wrench in their efforts to rebuild that team.
And I was also VERY SUSPICIOUS with the talk of getting Dan Reeves that they were going to go after Vick. I think that would be a GREAT fit for him. Mike Singletary is a hard-nosed coach who will stay on him and can also serve as positive black male role model in his life.
But getting back to Jerry Jones, I wish him and the Dallas Cowboys nothing but cellar dweller status. I am so sick of him meddling in the affairs of other teams — he did the same thing with the Falcons last year; contacting Arkansas on behalf of Bobby Petrino.