Atlanta Falcons fire Dan Reeves

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

[mhking]

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.

[WatchOutForSnakes]

Careful Ima. Certain people here don't like critical comments about the moderators. Don't you know that sports can NEVER be considered news?

[Charles Henrickson]

"Yesterday, I advised Dan that we’ve decided to bring in a new head coach. . . ."

Can't these guys say anything straight? "Yesterday I fired Dan Reeves."

[labowski]

It is kind of a bummer, I like Dan Reeves but I figured he wouldn't be here next year. It should get some of the players attention though. The Falcons could have had a good season even with Vick out, if they could keep a lead, make touchdowns instead of fieldgoals, make fieldgoals, and go for it on 4th and 2 instead of trying for 47 yard field goals.
Good luck to Dan though and hopefully we'll have a better team next year. I don't know how long Vick's contract is for, but if we aren't better by the time it ends I'm sure he will be looking to play for a better team so he can get a Superbowl ring.

[NCC-1701]

"...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..."

That would disqualify Dion right there. Professional maturity was never one of his long suits.

[hobbes1]

And his professional suits aren't very mature either.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

The future of the Falcons franchise is Mike Vick.

Maybe, but I seriously doubt it. How long do you think Vick will be around?

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

NO imagination or strategy.

Did you see some of the new plays he put together for Vick last Sunday? There was one where Vick had an almost open field to run on well past the scrimmage line.

[hobbes1]

With the right coach, a long time.

[ItsTheMediaStupid]

With the right coach, a long time.

You kidding?! One injury and he was out almost a full year. One brilliant game and he is limping. No matter the coach he will have too many injurys to be of any use in a couple of years.