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Bill Parcells took the first big step in his offseason overhaul of the Dallas Cowboys by announcing Monday he dumped two assistants: offensive line coach George Warhop and kicking coach Steve Hoffman.
Hoffman was the team's longest-tenured football staffer, having arrived in 1989 as part of Jimmy Johnson's first group of assistants.
He developed a reputation for discovering off-the-radar kickers, providing cheap talent at a key position. But his latest pupil, Billy Cundiff, let down Parcells too many times on kickoffs and field goals.
Warhop's unit was among the team's biggest disappointments this season, and he said nearly two weeks ago that he'd been told he would be let go. He'll be replaced by tight ends coach Tony Sparano, who was Cleveland's offensive line coach in 2000.
No replacement was named for Hoffman, or for Sparano's old job.
Already trusted enough by Parcells to tell him which plays to challenge, Sparano is credited with helping develop Jason Witten into a Pro Bowl player in his second season. Witten also set team records for catches and yards by a tight end this season.
Four other assistants whose contracts expired were invited back: Bruce DeHaven (special teams), Gary Gibbs (linebackers), Mike MacIntyre (assistant secondary), and David Lee (offensive assistant).
Parcells made it clear that changes were coming following a season-ending loss to the New York Giants, telling the team that job security would be tied directly to performance for players and coaches. Dallas went 6-10 this season.
The turnover began two weeks ago when scouting director Larry Lacewell retired, although that move had been in the works for two years.
Source: AP
Hoffman was the team's longest-tenured football staffer, having arrived in 1989 as part of Jimmy Johnson's first group of assistants.
He developed a reputation for discovering off-the-radar kickers, providing cheap talent at a key position. But his latest pupil, Billy Cundiff, let down Parcells too many times on kickoffs and field goals.
Warhop's unit was among the team's biggest disappointments this season, and he said nearly two weeks ago that he'd been told he would be let go. He'll be replaced by tight ends coach Tony Sparano, who was Cleveland's offensive line coach in 2000.
No replacement was named for Hoffman, or for Sparano's old job.
Already trusted enough by Parcells to tell him which plays to challenge, Sparano is credited with helping develop Jason Witten into a Pro Bowl player in his second season. Witten also set team records for catches and yards by a tight end this season.
Four other assistants whose contracts expired were invited back: Bruce DeHaven (special teams), Gary Gibbs (linebackers), Mike MacIntyre (assistant secondary), and David Lee (offensive assistant).
Parcells made it clear that changes were coming following a season-ending loss to the New York Giants, telling the team that job security would be tied directly to performance for players and coaches. Dallas went 6-10 this season.
The turnover began two weeks ago when scouting director Larry Lacewell retired, although that move had been in the works for two years.
Source: AP