Jones Is Slower to Pull Trigger

Jerry Jones said last week his Dallas Cowboys would have a new coach by Wednesday, and as that deadline approached it appeared former UCLA coach Terry Donahue was the leading candidate.

But Jones has turned this search into a soap opera and made himself the central figure.

As Donahue is left to dangle in the sea breezes near his home in Newport Beach, the search took a different turn Wednesday with the emergence of a “surprise” candidate.

The surprise, sources say, is Green Bay Packer Coach Mike Holmgren.

However, Bob Harlan, president of the Packers, said Wednesday that Jones has not asked permission to talk to his coach, who is currently negotiating a contract extension.

Holmgren’s current deal, which pays him an estimated $1.5 million a year, ends after the 1999 season. The Packers are trying to lock up Holmgren through 2002.

Harlan said Jones sought permission only to talk with Packer offensive coordinator Sherm Lewis, and it was granted. Lewis interviewed with Jones on Monday in San Diego.

Later the same day, Jones met with Donahue and his wife, Andrea. It was the second time Jones and Donahue had met.

Former San Francisco 49er coach George Seifert is the only other candidate Jones interviewed twice, but it appears Seifert is now out of the picture. Apparently, so is Denver Bronco offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak.

Wednesday marked the 19th day since Barry Switzer’s resignation statement was read at a news conference by Jones.

Although Jones is not one to shy away from media attention, dragging his feet before naming a coach has not been his style.

When Jones fired Tom Landry, he immediately hired Jimmy Johnson.

When Johnson got his $2-million resignation check, Jones hired Switzer a day later.

This time, Jones has been busy. He interviewed Seifert, Donahue and Lewis the day after the Super Bowl in San Diego. He previously had interviewed Donahue in Dallas and Seifert in San Diego. Jones made three trips between the cities last week.

Donahue, declining comment, said he was going to play golf Wednesday afternoon to get away from the telephone.

Jones also has a strong interest in Minnesota Viking offensive coordinator Brian Billick, but as offensive coordinator.

Of Donahue, Jones has said, “He brings a lot to the table. It’s really neat to see Terry’s enthusiasm not only for the NFL, but for the Dallas Cowboys.”

Donahue coached Cowboy quarterback Troy Aikman at UCLA, but Aikman said he has not been involved in selecting a coach to replace Switzer.

“It would make me uncomfortable if my teammates thought I had something to do with him getting the job,” Aikman has said. “This is Jerry’s decision.”

Donahue has worked as a college football commentator since leaving UCLA two years ago as the winningest coach in school and Pacific 10 history.

He repeatedly has said how much he enjoys broadcasting and the less stressful lifestyle that goes with it, and he and his wife are building an oceanfront home on Balboa Island. They are currently renting a home nearby.

Donahue, who has taken up golf since retiring from coaching, joined the Newport Beach Country Club and has seemed content with his new life.

But the lack of CBS’ college football inventory concerns him, and the travel is always difficult. CBS has only Southeastern Conference and Big East regular-season football, meaning Donahue had to travel across the country to each assignment.

Another problem is CBS has lost the Fiesta and Orange bowls to ABC’s new super alliance, and the Cotton Bowl is switching to Fox.

With CBS recently reacquiring NFL football, Donahue is hopeful of being involved in that package.

However, those close to Donahue say he will take the Cowboy job if it is offered.

Rumors of Donahue being a candidate for the Cowboy job have been around for months.

During his 20 years as head coach at UCLA, the longest tenure of any of the school’s football coaches, Donahue had a career record of 151-74-8. He won five Pac-10 titles, three Rose Bowl games and twice was named Pac-10 coach of the year.

Donahue resigned in December 1995, coached the Bruins against Kansas in the Aloha Bowl on Dec. 25, 1995, and then on Jan. 2, 1996 announced the Fiesta Bowl for CBS. Nebraska defeated Florida to claim the national championship in that game.

Donahue drew praise as a quick study from his CBS’ bosses, and his broadcasting skills improved tremendously over the past two years.

But the longer he was away from coaching the more he missed it, friends say.

Times Assistant Sports Editor Mike Kupper and the Associated Press contributed to this story.