Parcells turns down Falcons job, talking to Miami

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Former Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Parcells pulled out of a deal to run football operations for the Falcons and is now talking with Miami, the owner of the NFL's Atlanta club said on Wednesday.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank told the Atlanta Constitution (www.ajc.com) that an agreement had been reached on Tuesday with Parcells to become the team's executive vice president.

"Late last night it was revealed to the media by a source outside the Falcons that we were close to reaching an agreement with Bill Parcells to lead the club's football operations," Blank said in a statement.

"Prior to the information becoming public, we had reached an agreement in principle with Parcells, and we met with him this morning to complete the contract. At that time, we were made aware by Parcells that he was considering a revised offer from the Miami Dolphins.

"He later informed us that he would not be signing a contract with us."

Earlier on Wednesday, Parcells told the New York Daily News in a telephone interview that he expected to take the front office job with the Falcons.

Atlanta has had a nightmare season, with quarterback Michael Vick jailed on federal dog-fighting charges and first-year coach Bobby Petrino quitting after posting a 3-10 record to return to college football at Arkansas.

The Miami Dolphins have also suffered through a miserable season, winning their first game last Sunday to stand 1-13.

Parcells, who coached the New York Giants to two Super Bowl titles and led the New England Patriots to a Super Bowl, has been working as a TV commentator since he left the Dallas Cowboys after the 2006 season.

He coached the Cowboys to a 34-32 record from 2003-06. This year Dallas (12-2) shares the best record in the National Football Conference with the Green Bay Packers.

(Writing by Larry Fine, Editing by Alison Wildey)