Atlanta Falcons fire Dan Reeves

WXIA-TV/DT Atlanta ^ | 12.10.03 | Sean Rowe

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The Atlanta Falcons are releasing head coach Dan Reeves from his contract, Falcons sources announced Wednesday.

The Falcons will formally announce their decision at a 10:30 a.m. news conference at the team's training camp at Flowery Branch.

Wade Phillips has been named interim head coach for the remaining three games of the season.

Falcons owner and CEO Arthur M. Blank made the following statement in a press release posted at the Falcons’ Web site:

“Yesterday, I advised Dan that we’ve decided to bring in a new head coach beginning in the 2004 season,” Blank said. “Dan asked to be released from his position immediately and we agreed to do so, even though our desire was for him to stay on through the rest of the season.”

“We want to begin the process of searching for a new head coach in a thorough and honest manner,” said Blank. “In order to do so, and as Dan and I previously discussed, I wanted to let him know of our decision first. This conversation also puts the club in a position to operate in an open and honest environment during the final weeks of the season, and to proceed with our plans for the future.”

More details as they become available.

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[Thane_Banquo]

Bears will be looking for a new coach. I'd love to see Dan Reeves in a Bears hat.

[VRWCmember]

I wonder if Deion Sanders will apply for the position. They ought to interview Deion if for no other reason than to satisfy the new quota system.

[.cnI redruM]

On the one hand, what a shame. Reeves has been a class act and coached some really good teams. On the other hand, he lost 10 games this year. Poor performance deserves censure.

[doodad]

Should have happened last year with the change in management. Good coach in general, but play calls are 20 yrs too old. NO imagination or strategy. Who is available out there?

[mhking]

They ought to interview Deion if for no other reason than to satisfy the new quota system.

It would certainly keep Blank outta the doghouse that Tagliabue has put together.

Mind you this is on hte heels of Rush's comments about the NFL's hiring system just yesterday.

[PetroniDE]

This kind of stinks. Their season went down the crap-hole when Vick got hurt. He is not a bad coach, but they have almost no quality NFL talent except for Vick.

Just waiting for Jesse Jackson to show up demanding who the next head coach will be.

[doodad]

Deion did apply already and was told "we will get back to you."

[beaureguard]

Good guy, really hate to see him go like this, although I agree Falcons needed new head coach. Didn't know when I was at the game Sunday watching the Second Coming of Vick, I was also watching Dan's swan song.

Good luck in the future, Dan. (but change your play calling, please!)

[ohioman]

That new quota system is the dumbest bunch of horse-shiite I have seen in a long time. It is sad to see the gradual increase in the number of stupid F'in people in this country.

[Ima Lurker]

I was really upset at the timing of this, but after reading the article I do feel a little better. I was hoping to hear that Feely had been cut. I just can't understand why that hasn't happened. Anyway, now the hunt is on for a new coach and that is always interesting. I hope we get a hungry, young hotshot from the college ranks and not another tired retread.

I have issues with some of Dan Reeves decisions, but he is the only Falcons coach that I haven't ended up hating after a couple years. I'm sorry to see him go, but I do think it is time for a change.

[mhking]

You'd think AM'd let it at least stay in news, considering the implications tied to the NFL's new minority hiring system for coaches.

Just damn.

If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[hobbes1]

I know alot of people will disagree with me, but letting Dan go was the right thing to do.


The future of the Falcons franchise is Mike Vick. Dan Reeves is not, and never has been a guy to cultivate a great relationship with a Star QB (See Bruce Coslet, Bill Walsh, Don Shula, Jimmy Johnson, Parcells, and even Herman Edwards.)

Vick needs someone to invest in that relationship, and bring him along to Professional Maturity, and not force the QB to fit the coaches mold.

And it has to be someone that has a shot at hanging around, Reeves, predating Vicks arrival, was always going to be on the brink of leaving. It is better for it to happen now, than a year or two down the road.


For the right team, He is still a good coach.

[Timesink]

Well, look at it this way: With the latest software upgrades at least there's an outside chance that threads bumped to chat will actually be SEEN by a few people. Before last week, it was the absolute kiss of death to have a thread ghettoized over here. Now you'll probably get at least 10 responses or so as long as you ping it, so your thread is merely severely injured. :)

[YaYa123]

Great info.....you helped me surprise my husband this morning. He didn't believe I knew what I was talking about because he hadn't heard it first. hee hee.

[jonalvy44]

dang...what did they expect with Vick out all year? It will be interesting to see how they go about interviewing coaches, etc. They oughta lure Cincy's coach, he's done a heck of a job...

[Ima Lurker]

Reeves would have had to have a half naked, blond bimbo on his arm for this to stay in news. From what I can see that is the criteria.

[Bikers4Bush]

The Browns need to do the same thing to Davis.

[b4its2late]

For the right team, He is still a good coach.

Yep.

And the XFL comes to mind.....

[mhking]

He didn't believe I knew what I was talking about because he hadn't heard it first. hee hee.

Believe it or not, my wife called me with the info and surprised me!