‘"He told us, ‘They’re going to get me eventually and it’s because I’m loyal,’ " said backup quarterback Alex Van Pelt, referring to Phillips’ pregame speech in the locker room before the Bills’ final game at Seattle Dec. 23.’
BillsBeat - January 9, 2001
Cottrell lets credentials speak
‘However, as of yesterday, Cottrell had not heard from owner Ralph Wilson and the highly respected career assistant was going ahead with plans to interview with the expansion Houston Texans tomorrow for their vacancy.’
Patient Donahoe unfazed by changes
‘"This is unexpected, but it’s something that Mr. Wilson has to deal with today," said Donahoe when asked about Phillips’ dismissal. "We’ll see where it goes."’
Phillips pays for choosing friends
‘I would have asked Wade Phillips to fire not only special-teams coach Ronnie Jones, but also offensive coordinator Joe Pendry and offensive-line coach Carl Mauck.’
Phillips' decisions left Wilson with little choice
‘My report card on Wade Phillips: Overall record — B.’
Chan Gailey signs new contract
Miami Dolphin OC, Chan Gailey, signed a 2 year extension on Monday with the Dolphins. It had been rumored that if Tom Donahoe was hired that he might seek to bring Gailey into the Bills staff. That rumor is now squashed unless Gailey is offered the head coaching position (or assistant head coach). This would appear to be unlikely due the recent deal Gailey signed.
Wade's World: A Chronology
‘A look back at the highs and lows of Wade Phillips’ Buffalo tenure..’
Phillips' Faulty Loyalty
‘Despite a record that would earn most coaches a contract extension instead of an unceremonious dismissal, Phillips’ own shortcomings cost him his job.’
QB controversy doomed Phillips
‘Wade Phillips didn’t lose his job as head coach of the Buffalo Bills this weekend. He lost it a year ago.’
WILSON TURNS THE PAGE OWNER SAYS CHANGES ARE FOR THE BEST
‘”We’re going to be OK. We’re going to be better than OK. We’re going to go forward. We’ve got a difficult salary cap situation that got completely out of hand under the old regime. We’re going to take a hit. But we’re going to get it right, and we’re going to be back where we were a few years ago.”‘
PHILLIPS BOWS OUT GRACEFULLY
‘”I’m especially proud of my coaching staff and proud of my players, whose 29 wins represent (the) sixth (best record) in the NFL in wins in the last three years. I want to also thank a great general manager, John Butler, who was a big factor in those wins for us. And I want to especially thank the Buffalo Bills’ fans. Not only the ones in Western New York, but throughout the country, who gave us tremendous support. I need to talk to my coaching staff before I comment on anything else.”‘
WADE TRULY WAS A PLAYER'S COACH
‘”That’s who Wade is,” defensive end Marcellus Wiley said. “He’s extremely loyal to people, especially his players and coaches. As everyone has seen, he’ll go down with the ship.”‘
SCENARIOS SHOW SEVERAL CHOICES FOR HEAD COACH
‘It was mixed emotions time here. On one hand Wade is one of the nicest people I’ve encountered in pro football and a wonderful defensive coordinator. On the other hand, despite a won-lost record of which almost any coach would be proud, the Bills were on the verge of imploding with Phillips at the helm.’
BillsBeat - January 8, 2001
It's a cruddy business
‘What a crappy business, this NFL. The Bills fire Wade Phillips after he posted the best start in the first three seasons of any Buffalo head coach’s tenure. If winning is the bottom line, all Phillips did was go 29-21 (.580).’
Phillips Fired Himself
‘Shortly after 11 a.m., the team confirmed a story that broke late Sunday … "Bills President Ralph Wilson released Wade Phillips as head coach of the team … "’