Parcells now to join Dolphins front office

MIAMI, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Bill Parcells, one day after he was linked to an Atlanta Falcons front office job, accepted an offer to become an executive in the Miami Dolphins' organization.

The Miami Herald reported Thursday Parcells had returned a signed contract to the Dolphins to take over as executive vice president for football operations.

The New York Daily News Wednesday quoted Parcells as saying only a few details needed to be worked out before he joined the Falcons as head of football operations. Late in the day, Falcons' owners Arthur Blank said Parcells had withdrawn from the deal.

Both franchises could use Parcells' help. As a coach, Parcells had an overall regular-season mark of 172-130-1 with the Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, New England Patriots and New York Giants. He won Super Bowl titles after the 1986 and 1990 seasons while with the Giants.

Miami collected its first victory of the season on Sunday and Atlanta this season has seen its starting quarterback suspended and sentenced to 23 months in federal prison, its head coach abruptly quit and is 3-11 -- tied for the worst record in the NFL after the Dolphins.