Bill Parcells was born in Englewood, New Jersey, on August 22, 1941. His family lived in Bergen County during his early childhood. Although he later moved to Hasbrouck Heights and then to Oradell, his birthplace remained Englewood. He attended River Dell High School. There, he played football, basketball, and baseball. Sports became a central part of his life.
Parcells played college football at Wichita State University. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1964 but never played in the NFL. That year, he began coaching at Hastings College. Over time, he held several assistant coaching positions in college football and the NFL. His first NFL head coaching job was with the New York Giants. He led the Giants to Super Bowl wins in 1987 and 1991. He later coached the New England Patriots, New York Jets, and Dallas Cowboys.
Parcells developed a reputation for turning struggling teams into playoff contenders. He was known for his strong leadership and straightforward style. Many of his assistant coaches later became NFL head coaches. He had a lasting influence on the league.
In 2013, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His birthplace of Englewood ties him to New Jersey’s sports history. His early life in Bergen County laid the foundation for a long career in football.
Bill Parcells was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
A native of Oradell, N.J., Parcells attended River Dell High School.
