Sunday, January 7
Phillips was reluctant to fire assistants
By John Clayton
ESPN.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Buffalo Bills coach Wade Phillips was fired Sunday by owner Ralph
Wilson.
Phillips' reluctance to fire some of his assistant coaches apparently led to his dismissal. The
team has no comment at this time.
Wilson had been suggesting changes on the coaching staff. Phillips met early last week with
Wilson in West Palm Beach, Fla., and was told by Wilson that he would like to keep him as
coach. Wilson, however, made no promises.
Phillips returned and told his assistants that their jobs were on hold until a new general manager
was hired. Over the weekend, Phillips and Wilson communicated by phone, and the talks about
assistant coaching changes were brought up. With Phillips still reluctant to make any changes
plus his being uncomfortable entering the 2001 season as a lame-duck coach with only one year
left on his contract, Wilson decided it was time for a change.
It is not known whether this development would speed up the process of hiring a general
manager.
Among the assistant coaches whose jobs are on the line, and whom Phillips wanted to keep,
were offensive coordinator Joe Pendry, special teams coach Ronnie Jones and offensive line
coach Carl Mauck. Because these coaches are close friends of Phillips, he stood by them and
would rather be let go as head coach rather than fire them. |
