Cowboys Corner

Announcement? Maybe

An announcement? We hope one is made today.

Think after 4 p.m. Maybe even 5 p.m. so the Cowboys can break into live local TV news broadcasts.

Tony Sparano’s future

The potential hiring of Wade Phillips as Bill Parcells’ replacement could bode well for Cowboys assistant Tony Sparano.

Just said hello to Sparano in the hallways of the Cowboys headquarters at Valley Ranch. He was headed in the direction of Jerry Jones’ office. Last year’s play-caller is the only offensive assistant still remaining from Parcells’ staff. Sparano is currently assistant head coach/offensive line and running game coordinator.

The Cowboys think highly of Sparano, whom they have blocked in the past from interviews with other teams.

With Phillips expected to take over, Sparano should still figure heavily into the plans with new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. Sparano was also involved in the interview process with Colts assistant Jim Caldwell.

Sparano figures to have a bigger role offensively than he would have if Norv Turner were named head coach.

-- Rick Herrin

Phillips has landed

Wade Phillips has landed. He's expected to arrive at Valley Ranch soon. Wouldn't it be ironic if Jerry Jones flew him here just to tell him he didn't get the job?

- Mac Engel

Now who will run the defense?

With the expected hiring of Wade Phillips, the question now becomes who will be his defensive coordinator? And does it matter? Wade is a defensive guy, so it's expected he will run the defense.

That may give Todd Bowles a good chance at remaining on this staff. He was the secondary coach under Bill Parcells, he's a 3-4 guy, so Bowles may be the next defensive coordinator for the 'Boys.

- Mac Engel

Bum on his way to town

IRVING – In another sign that Wade Phillips will be named the next coach of the Dallas Cowboys, a Bum is coming to Valley Ranch.

A source said former Oilers coach Bum Phillips is en route to the Metroplex to be with his son, Wade, today at the Cowboys’ headquarters. The elder Phillips currently lives in Goliad, Texas.

Phillips is expected to be named the seventh head coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Nothing is expected to be formally announced until after 1 p.m.

-- Mac Engel

The wait continues

Be patient. We hear here at Valley Ranch that nothing will happen until after 1 p.m.

So get your popcorn ready.

And I don't think we're preparing for the Jim Caldwell press conference, either.

- Mac Engel

Media Frenzy at Valley Ranch

Officially, the Cowboys have  nothing to say about the impending hire of Wade Phillips as the seventh coach in Cowboys history. No press conference is scheduled so far. But the media frenzy is under way at the team's Valley Ranch headquarters. An army of cameras and television trucks were at the facility before 8 am in hopes of getting a glimpse of Phillips' arrival. He has yet to arrive. But neither has owner Jerry Jones. Stay tuned.

Wade-ing for Godot

Wade Phillips said today that he spoke with Jerry Jones "yesterday or the day before that." Jones' phone call was to keep Phillips updated about the coaching search situation.

Phillips is eager to know, and he said the Chargers have been patient in this process. But he still has no feel one way or the other if he will be asked to become the next coach of the Cowboys.

Colts' Caldwell arrives

Indianapolis assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell arrived at Valley Ranch before 8 a.m. today to begin interviewing with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for the club’s heading coaching job.

Caldwell is the 10th, and perhaps final, candidate to interview for the job.

-- Clarence E. Hill Jr.

Still waiting on Rivera

Chicago defensive coordinator Ron Rivera remains stuck in transit. Bad weather has kept Rivera from flying from Chicago to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. He is scheduled to arrive later this evening and interview for the Cowboys head coaching job.

Multiple sources said the Bears are OK with Rivera, should he decide to leave the team to become the next defensive coordinator with the Cowboys. The Bears would not block the Cowboys from hiring Rivera as a defensive coordinator before the team's exclusive negotiating period with him ends on Feb. 20.

-- Mac Engel