Miami's next move
You saw this day coming for the Miami Dolphins over a month ago, when Dave Wannstedt slinked to a postgame podium like a beaten man seeking confidence from a self-help group.
"I've never been through anything like this," Wannstedt said on Oct. 3, moments after losing to the New York Jets and dropping to 0-4. "This is beyond me from the standpoint of just giving games away."
It took another month, but Wannstedt committed the ultimate giveaway on Tuesday, this time surrendering his own job.
With the slow and efficient assassination of the Dolphins' 2004 campaign assured, Wannstedt resigned in the face of an imminent postseason pink slip. This came after he met with team owner Wayne Huizenga on Monday night and told him he no longer had the will to continue after the 1-8 start and onslaught of speculation about his future. Defensive coordinator Jim Bates will serve as interim coach through the rest of this season.
"It is a proper decision at this time for being a professional," Wannstedt said during his resignation press conference Tuesday. "Somebody has to accept the responsibility. I am the head coach and that falls on me."
It was hardly a shocking revelation. After the Ricky Williams debacle, the ugly start, the massive run of injuries – and on the heels of two straight seasons of failing to make the playoffs – the question was when, not if, Wannstedt would lose his job. And with rumblings he might not make it beyond the current bye week, Sunday's home loss to Arizona – when the Dolphins twice surrendered leads – provided him with an easy window to step away. Do not buy the notion that Huizenga tried to keep Wannstedt from stepping aside, either. It's merely diplomatic posturing.
So what happens next? Don't be surprised if Miami wins a few more games this season, a typical byproduct of a stimulated group of players after a coach is fired. But the real effort shifts to the Great Search, the most pivotal moment for the franchise since Don Shula's hiring.
Huizenga should have no shortage of options. League insiders say Miami is still viewed as one of the top five jobs in the league, with its location, tradition, respected ownership and, yes, even a modest cache of talent.
But some immediate business remains. General manager Rick Spielman is on shaky ground and could lose his job after an atrocious first season at the controls. Spielman will be taking a large portion of the heat that Wannstedt is leaving behind and rightly so – most of his moves have gone badly awry. Some, such as the acquisition of wide receiver David Boston and quarterback A.J. Feeley, could hamper the franchise well beyond this season.
Whatever Spielman's fate, the Dolphins have a full slate of options:
Ride out the season and fire Spielman, then search for a new combination of general manager and coach. After taking the managerial duties away from Wannstedt before this season, it's believed Huizenga isn't interested in hiring a coach and giving him all the power.
That would lend to the Dolphins pursuing a power duo from the New England Patriots, specifically offensive coordinator Charlie Weis and vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli. The problem with this is that Piloi doesn't appear to be in a hurry to go anywhere, and the Patriots don't appear inclined to give him up without a fight. While the Dolphins could offer Piloi a promotion by giving him a job as team president and GM, it's highly likely the Patriots would find a way to counter the title.
Retain Spielman and hire a college coach who won't demand all of the decision-making power over the talent. From what we're hearing, LSU's Nick Saban will be an NFL head coach next season, and it's likely he will listen eagerly to the Dolphins. A clone of Patriots coach Bill Belichick, Saban might even be willing to waive decision-making power at this point. Pioli, who has worked wonders with Belichick, could also work into the mix with Saban if Spielman is fired.
The complication with this is New Orleans. The team is greasing the skids for the exit of head coach Jim Haslett, and Saban's connections in Louisiana make him a huge target for the Saints. After winning a share of the national championship with LSU, his hire would immediately fill seats and could help with the political woes concerning a new stadium.
Steve Spurrier. You knew his name would come up. Here's the long and short of it: Spurrier wants this job, and Huizenga is going to talk to him. But the major problem is that Spurrier wants to be able to lord over the roster with full decision-making powers in free agency and the draft. As we mentioned before, Huizenga isn't high on having a coach who wears two hats. This is a major sticking point.
