Parcells in Running for Football Hall of Fame Again

Twice named NFL Coach of the Year, the "Big Tuna" and River Dell alumni Bill Parcells was once again named to the finalist class for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Parcells was a finalist in 2012 but just missed out on joining the current 267 Hall of Fame members.

Parcells, was born in Englewood, and later moved to Oradell just before the start of Parcells' sophomore year. As a Golden Hawk, the 6'2" Parcells was a star quarterback, pitcher, and center while wearing black and gold. Parcells graduated in 1959 and was later named to the River Dell Athletic Hall of Fame.

After graduating from the University of Wichita with a degree in physical education, Parcells' started his 46 year coaching career at Hastings in 1964 and by 1979 had moved on to the NY Giants. 

Parcells compiled an overall record of 172-130-1 in the regular season and 11-8 in the playoffs between serving as head coach to the New York Giants, New England Patriots, New York Yets and Dallas Cowboys.

He won two Super Bowl rings with the Giants, defeating the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI and the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXV. Parcells' led the New England Patriots to Super Bowl XXXI but lost to the Green Bay Packers and then the NY Jets to the AFC Championship Game in 1998. He finished his coaching career with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006.

Parcells was also nominated for the 2012 New Jersey Hall of Fame class but the sports honor went to former NY Giants owner Wellington Mara, Milt Campbell (first African American to win a gold medal in the decathlon of the Summer Olympic Games) and St. Anthony High School coach Rob Hurley who has amassed 26 state championships and more than 1,000 wins in his 39 years at the school.

The Pro Hall of Fame Class of 2013 will be announced Feb. 2, the eve of Super Bowl XLVII, in New Orleans, with induction coming this summer in Canton, Ohio.

Also named to the Class of 2013 finalists were: Dallas Cowboy Larry Allen, Pittsburgh Steeler Jerome Bettis, Oakland Raider Tim Brown, Miami Dolphins Cris Carter, Detroit Lions Curley Culp, San Francisco 49ers former owner Edward DeBartolo Jr., San Francisco 49ers Kevin Greene, Dallas Cowobys Charles Haley, Baltimore Ravens former owner Art Modell, Baltimore Ravens Jonathan Ogden, Washington Redskins Andre Reed, Green Bay Packer's Dave Robinson, Oakland Raiders Warren Sapp, Kansas City Chiefs  Will Shields, New York Giants Michael Strahan, and St. Louis Rams Aeneas Williams.

Follow Patch on Facebook and Twitter or subscribe to our free daily newsletter.