Donahue Out of Cowboy Picture?

Former UCLA coach Terry Donahue abruptly broke off negotiations with Dallas Cowboy owner Jerry Jones on Tuesday morning, telling friends he was uncomfortable with some aspects of the talks.

Donahue was offered the Cowboys’ head coaching job, according to several sources, and Jones had planned to announce the hiring at a news conference Tuesday.

A source close to Donahue said his hiring now seemed “less likely” but added that Jones and Donahue did intend to continue speaking by telephone. However, Jones, who initially had said he would make an announcement by today, opened the door to other candidates and to extending the search.

“I want to go down some other roads,” Jones said. “I never felt there was a timetable. There’s no reason to set a timetable and compromise the decision.”

The Cowboys haven’t had a coach since Barry Switzer resigned Jan. 9. Jones declined to say if Donahue had been offered the job, saying: “I don’t want to make any comment on that. I know that I’ve discussed these things I’ve discussed with Terry with all candidates. I don’t think you offer and accept a job until it’s in writing. We’re a long way from that.”

Jones telephoned Green Bay Packer offensive coordinator Sherman Lewis and former San Francisco 49er coach George Seifert on Tuesday afternoon to tell both they were still under consideration. Each has been interviewed at least twice by Jones. Jones also said he would consider some college coaches. Louisiana State’s Gerry Dinardo is believed to be on his list, and Jones is close to Miami’s Butch Davis, a former Dallas defensive coordinator.

“My list has always extended beyond the three people that have been mentioned,” Jones said.

Jones played down his differences with Donahue, saying their conversation was part of a negotiating process. He said there had not been any formal offer to Donahue.

“We left it that we would continue to evaluate him and he would continue to evaluate his decision in this area,” Jones said.

The Cowboys had felt confident enough about Donahue’s hiring that his family had already been booked on a Los Angeles-to-Dallas flight to attend Tuesday’s planned news conference. The team also had purchased Donahue a plane ticket so he could attend the NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday in Indianapolis.

Those plans were put on hold after Jones and Donahue met for several hours at Jones’ Dallas mansion on Monday. Instead of staying for the announcement Tuesday, Donahue took an early morning flight back to Southern California. He declined to speak with reporters upon his arrival in Orange County.

A source close to Donahue said he simply needed “some breathing room” and that he was unhappy with several aspects of the negotiations. Jones has long said that he intends to serve as the team’s general manager and personnel chief, and Donahue apparently was reluctant to give up all personnel control to the owner.