The Final Season: My Last Year as Head Coach in the NFL

I thought the book lived up to its purpose of showing the life of the NFL coach. We see Parcells full of optimism at the start of the season then gradually decline in mood as the year progresses through events both on and off the field. I might have liked to have seen more of what Parcells actually did in the year. What time he started work, what he actually did in the day and what time he finished an average day. A good read.

For those of you who fantasized about what it would be like coaching an NFL team, Bill Parcells aided by Will McDonough offer the opportunity to find out what it is like.Parcells takes readers through his entire final season with the New York Jets in 1999, when he ultimately concluded that this would be his final coaching responsibility. Jerry Jones has since hastened Parcells out of retirement at a hefty salary to jumpstart the formerly mighty Dallas Cowboys as he had earlier altered the fortunes of the New York Giants, New England Patriots and Jets respectively.You cannot help coming away with an admiration for Parcells due to his rock-ribbed honesty. Here is a man who will criticize his players if he believes they are giving less than 100% or playing less than intelligent football. He blames himself for losing a game in the closing stages by "getting cute" and calling for a pass which was intercepted and ultimately cost his team the game when it would have been wiser retrospectively to keep the ball on the ground. When assistant coach Dan Henning tells him that his insistence on keeping Rick Mirer in the lineup as starting quarterback in the face of less than awesome performances stemmed from a stubbornness to face the facts since Parcells made the trade in his general manager's capacity, the coach, rather than blowing up over having his ego assaulted in the manner that a smaller man would, ends up agreeing with Henning. Accepting genuinely felt constructive criticism in a positive manner is the hallmark of a mature and honest man.In addition to telling us plenty about strategy, how games were won and lost, and providing his opinions on players he reveres, such as his own sterling running back Curtis Martin and respected opposing quarterback Dan Marino of the Dolphins, Parcells tells about the deeply rooted pressures in NFL coaching. He reveals about his bypass operation and expresses dismay over his inability to sleep and nervous eating anxieties when the season is in full swing, leading to weight gain. He also weighs in on his view of the poor performance of certain NFL officials, especially in key situations, a problem which has magnified since this book appeared. Parcells expresses his concern as well over the rise of fan hooliganism, fearing that perhaps America may follow the example ultimately of the European soccer rioters.If you love pro football, this is a can't miss read. The coach is an intelligent man of candor with plenty of interesting things to say.

A perfect illustartion of the greatest football coach ever !! Yes, even better than Me Lombardi himself. First of all, it was a wonder Bill continued to write this book when his team was 1-8. Almost every story has a happy ending right ?? Well not exactly. Being a Parcells fan (followed him fron NY, to NE and back to NY) I followed this season closely. For a team to go 1-8 and win ther next 7 in a row with nothing to play for, is amazing. Parcells is the greatest motivator ever. The book talks about his relatrionship with the players. Yes, he actually got along with his players, well some of them. But the one relationship he'll never forget will be the one with The Boy Wonder. You'll have to read the book to understand.

I have allways been a Bill Parcells fan, and reading this book gave me great insight into his football life. From cover to cover Parcells give a Tuna-eye view of a year in the life of a successful head coach. He pulls no punches, when in comes to player (Eric Green, LT, Ray Lucas), the Refs, and various members of the NFL (Bill Belichick). I found it very easy to read (3 days, if you are busy)and quite entertaining. For anyone who is a diehard Tuna fan, this book covers no new ground, yet you should read it anyway, for he interesting spin he gives.

Hey, Everyone this is a great book! Just to let ya know im really not 13 I am 17. I really recommend this book to everyone interested in sports. Will McDonough is a great writer! -Stiggs