Wannstedt out after 1-8 start

[ZTAngel]

ESPN.com news services
MIAMI -- Coach Dave Wannstedt's latest loss with the Miami Dolphins was his last.


Midway through a dismal season that has left Miami with the NFL's worst record, Wannstedt planned to resign Tuesday. Defensive coordinator Jim Bates was to be named interim coach at a news conference, according to reports.



Before this season, Wannstedt never won less than 9 games with the Dolphins.


Wannstedt met Monday night at the team's complex with owner Wayne Huizenga, who confirmed an announcement was planned Tuesday. The Dolphins have a news conferences scheduled for 11 a.m. ET.


"Dave called me and we got together, but I'm not going to comment at this point," Huizenga said.


Wannstedt was at his office early Tuesday morning, his wife said, but he couldn't be reached for comment.


It's unclear whether he was forced to resign midway through a dismal season that began with the retirement of star running back Ricky Williams and has left the team at 1-8. The timing of the move wasn't surprising with the Dolphins beginning their bye week.


Bates' first game as interim head coach will be Nov. 21 at Seattle. He was head coach of the USFL's San Antonio Gunslingers in 1985 and became the Dolphins' defensive coordinator when Wannstedt became head coach in 2000.


Miami blew two leads and lost 24-23 Sunday to the Arizona Cardinals, who ended a 17-game road losing streak. The Dolphins endured their most lopsided defeat of the season last Monday, 41-14 against the archrival New York Jets.


Dolphins players were aware of Wannstedt's tenuous future and the rising tide of discontent among fans.


"I feel sorry for the guy because he's a first-class guy," cornerback Patrick Surtain said after Sunday's defeat.


"It's not like guys aren't going out there giving 110 percent and laying it on the line for him. We're doing it all -- getting holding penalties, offsides, we're doing crazy stuff. How can he control that when he's on the sidelines?"


Wannstedt barely avoided being fired after last season, when Miami failed to reach the playoffs for the second year in a row. Huizenga decided to keep Wannstedt but stripped him of authority over personnel decisions.


Little has gone right for Miami since. Wannstedt was twice forced to change offensive coordinators during the offseason, and Williams abruptly retired just before training camp. Receiver David Boston, the top offseason acquisition, suffered a season-ending knee injury before the first preseason game.


That was the start of an injury wave as the Dolphins endured the worst start in their 39-year history. They're one defeat from their first losing season since 1988.


Wannstedt, who succeeded Jimmy Johnson in 2000, has a record of 43-33 in Miami. His career NFL record, including six seasons with the Chicago Bears, is 84-90.


Wannstedt was fired in 1997 by the Bears. His final two teams there went 4-12.


The Dolphins won only one playoff game under Wannstedt, and that was four years ago. Even with seven Pro Bowl players in 2002, including NFL rushing champion Williams and sacks leader Jason Taylor, the Dolphins missed the playoffs.


One of Wannstedt's first moves when he became coach was to nudge a 38-year-old Dan Marino into retirement. As a replacement Wannstedt acquired Jay Fiedler, who has never been popular with the Dolphins' fans.


Wannstedt was just the fourth coach in Dolphins history, and only Don Shula coached the team longer.


While the Dolphins have been a perennial playoff contender -- until this year, at least -- they haven't reached the AFC championship game since 1992. Their last Super Bowl berth was in 1984, and they haven't won an NFL title since 1973.


Huizenga, who became sole owner of the Dolphins in 1994, has been through three coaches in pursuit of a championship. He nudged Shula into retirement following the 1995 season, and Johnson called it quits four years later.

[KSig RC]

I don't get how this guy kept his job all these years with teams that underperformed even while making the playoffs . . . then they fire him in the middle of a worthless season?

Make his ass finish out, save yourself some cash . . . jesus, collin and I should be given these GM jobs instead of the jokers in charge.

[KSigkid]

Well this is SHOCKING. He's only been a mediocre coach for how many years with the Dolphins and Bears? At some point the Miami/Jimmy Johnson connection will wear out, and they'll recognize him for what he is; a good defensive coordinator who should be nothing more.

Firing him in the middle of a season is pointless...but then again the Dolphins haven't been run well in a long time, so I'm not surprised at the timing.

I wonder who the next desperate team will be to give him an opportunity.

[DeltaSigStan]

Wayne Huizenga SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[AznSAE]

i thought he resigned. did they fire" him? well, they probably would have fired him after the season anyways.

[ZTAngel]

I'm guessing Huizenga gave Wannstedt an ultimatum: either he resign or he gets fired. Wannstedt picked the first choice.

Also, I'm going to guess that Wannstedt's career as a head coach for the NFL is over. With his record with the Dolphins and the Bears, I doubt another NFL will make him head coach. But, you never know....

[Steeltrap]

^^^
Strangely, I suspect that Wannstedt may land on his feet. Although IMO, the Dolphins really got screwed when Rikita Williams decided drugs was more important than football.

[KSig RC]

Originally posted by Steeltrap
^^^
Strangely, I suspect that Wannstedt may land on his feet. Although IMO, the Dolphins really got screwed when Rikita Williams decided drugs was more important than football.

yeah, this is probably true, but honestly were they a better team this season than last? actually, have they EVER done ANYTHING to improve, at least in recent memory?

Adding David Boston isn't a stellar addition (and might be more 'interesting' since his injuries have coincided with BALCO . . . ), and actually other than Chambers is there one player on that offense you'd want on your team? Maybe Rob Konrad, maybe . . . no one?

Wannstedt has really been mediocre for a long, long time as a head coach . . . eventually, davey, you gotta score some points

[Steeltrap]

David Boston. Don't get me started on that cat. See, I'm a Charger fan and had to deal with his twists and turns in 2003. Miami was in need of offense, so I can't blame them for trying. Zach Thomas, pretty Jason Taylor & Co. are solid defenders, but you need a better QB, etc.

[Sister Havana]

Originally posted by Steeltrap
^^^
Strangely, I suspect that Wannstedt may land on his feet.

Um, WHY? This Bears fan doesn't understand how he lasted anyway.

[KSigkid]

Originally posted by Steeltrap
David Boston. Don't get me started on that cat. See, I'm a Charger fan and had to deal with his twists and turns in 2003. Miami was in need of offense, so I can't blame them for trying. Zach Thomas, pretty Jason Taylor & Co. are solid defenders, but you need a better QB, etc.

They do need an offense - unless Taylor has an arm and Thomas can run the ball, they're not going anywhere this year. The only offensive players with any talent are Konrad and Chris Chambers...not the way to win a football game.

David Boston cracks me up...you just have to sit and laugh. He's like Terrell Owens without the talent.

[cashmoney]

I hope they hire Spurrier.

[kddani]

rumor has it that my school, Pitt, wants him...

[KSigkid]

Originally posted by cashmoney
I hope they hire Spurrier.

that was the rumor at first, but spurrier maintains he's not coming back to the NFL. i believe him on that; after his experience in washington, i see him sticking to college when he comes back.

[cashmoney]

Originally posted by KSigkid
that was the rumor at first, but spurrier maintains he's not coming back to the NFL. i believe him on that; after his experience in washington, i see him sticking to college when he comes back.

I think he'll take one more shot at it at some point, might not be anytime soon....but one day he will.

I'd just love to see him be picked up by Miami.