Wannstedt quitting job in Miami

Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2004 | 9:11 a.m.

SUN WIRE REPORTS

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 as the team's head coach today. Defensive coordinator Jim Bates was to be named interim coach at a news conference.

Wannstedt met Monday night at the team's complex with owner Wayne Huizenga, who confirmed an announcement was planned today.

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

It was 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.

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 Sunday.

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.

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.

Quincy Carter, the former Dallas starting quarterback who signed with the Jets during the final week of training camp, will start in Pennington's place starting Sunday when the Jets play host to the Baltimore Ravens. Last year, after Pennington broke his left wrist in a preseason game, the Jets started 2-5 before he returned. They finished 6-10.