There is also this, from 29 years ago today.
Today in Patriots History
Bill Parcells hired as Head Coach
To say there is a wide difference of opinion about Tuna amongst Pats fans would be an understatement. Personally I am glad that he is not in the Pats Hall of Fame, despite the determined efforts of a few sports writers; I'll leave it at that.
January 21, 1993
Bill Parcells is hired as Head Coach of the New England Patriots.
Jan 22, 1993:
ProJo Patriots Moments: Bill Parcells hired as head coach
“I started my coaching career here in New England (linebacker coach in 1980) and I am going to end it here. This will be my last coaching job,” Parcells said.
Although he doesn’t have the title of general manager, Parcells figures to have strong input on personnel matters, while others handle financial and administrative duties.
“But this isn’t about control. This is a team. We’re a team, from top to bottom. Anyone that has their own agenda won’t be around long,” Parcells said.
“The Patriots have convinced me they are willing and able to bring a championship-caliber team to New England. That was my only concern during our discussions. I have no reservations on that now. If I did, I wouldn’t be sitting here today.”
Jan 22, 1993:
Patriot brass is super excited to land Parcells | Baltimore Sun
In the market glut of big-name NFL coaches, none comes with the credentials Parcells has -- two Super Bowl championships.
The announcement Parcells will be coming to New England was made at a news conference at the upscale Westin Hotel-Copley Place by team owner James B. Orthwein, the St. Louis multimillionaire who purchased the Patriots in May.
Parcells agreed to become the Patriots' new leader -- he has sweeping powers in all personnel areas, including the draft and the broadening spectrum of the free-agent marketplace -- for a contract, according to a source, worth $1.5 million a season for four years. He made about $1 million his final year with the New York Giants.
According to the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula will make $1.4 million in 1993, $1.6 million in '94.
Parcells is the first coach the Patriots (2-14 last season) have had who had previous success as an NFL head coach. The 11 previous coaches were either former college coaches or NFL assistants.
The Patriots also interviewed former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Philadelphia Eagles coach Buddy Ryan.
Jan 19, 2019:
Kraft Anniversary Historic Event For Patriots
From 1990 to 1992, the Patriots won a grand total of 9 games, an average of three per season. And unlike the previous seven-year dark age era which was based on a 14-game season, this dark ages era was played with 16-game schedules. The Patriot win percentage in these three years was .188. One year of former defensive coordinator Rod Rust, then two years of former UMass head coach **** MacPherson. Patriot football was simply putrid. Awful. Ugly. Make that dawg-ugly.
Then, as if out of the blue, comes this two-time Super Bowl champion head coach, back from a three-year hiatus for health reasons. Orthwein hired Parcells and gave him the keys to the car. All football decisions were his and his alone. He wouldn’t have coached here if he didn’t have that power. We’ll get back to that power in a bit.
Parcells lasted four seasons, took his team to the playoffs twice, and wound up taking them to Super Bowl XXXI. But most of all, he put the Patriots on the NFL map. The Patriots became a somebody after three decades of being a nobody (save for perhaps the 1976 and 1985 seasons). Even after Pete Carroll succeeded him, the Patriots have been a somebody. The riches would wait just a few more years. But it all started with The Tuna. From that moment on, being a Patriot fan was permanently different.
