A look at the events that brought...

A look at the events that brought Bill Parcells to the New York Jets:

JANUARY 1996: Parcells raises some eyebrows when he asks Patriot owner Robert Kraft to let him out of the final year of his contract. Parcells says it is because of a clause that would obligate him to pay the club $1.4 million if he failed to coach in the fifth year (1997 season) for any reason.

APRIL 1996: Parcells wants to use New England’s first-round pick in the draft to select a defensive player. Kraft overrules him, and the Patriots make wide receiver Terry Glenn their first pick.

DECEMBER 1996: Rumors begin to swirl that Parcells is unhappy and wants out of his Patriot contract. New York newspapers report Parcells could get a three-year, $10-million deal from Jets.

JAN. 20, 1997: Parcells tells reporters, “When the season is over I’m going to sit down with Bob Kraft and talk it over.”

JAN. 23: Kraft and Parcells hold a press conference to try to end all the rumors. Parcells: “With all that’s been swirling round, we want to tell you everything is the same as it’s always been.”

JAN. 27: Parcells asks to coach elsewhere, but Kraft claims he can not coach anywhere else without the Patriots receiving compensation. NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue is asked to settle the dispute.

JAN. 28: Tagliabue bars Parcells from negotiating with any other team until he makes a ruling.

JAN. 29: Tagliabue rules that Parcells cannot coach elsewhere in 1997 without permission from the Patriots.

JAN. 31: Parcells writes a letter to Kraft saying he does not “desire” to continue as coach of the Patriots or in the NFL in 1997.

TUESDAY: The Patriots hire 49er offensive coordinator Pete Carroll to replace Parcells.

WEDNESDAY: Jets name Bill Belichick coach and announce that Parcells will be a “consultant.” The Jets also announce that on Jan. 31, 1998, Parcells will become coach. Tagliabue announces he will review the matter.

THURSDAY: Parcells signs a six-year, $20-million deal to run the Jets. At least four of the six years will be as coach, with the last two as chief operating officer, a title Parcells also will have during his coaching tenure.