End of an era: Reeves fired by Falcons

By The Associated Press

Posted 7:10AM on Wednesday, December 10, 2003

Dan Reeves had only one request for his boss: If youre going to fire me, let me know first.When Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank delivered the grim news, Reeves reacted in typical fashion.Too proud to hang around as a lame duck, Reeves asked to be let go immediately. So, a remarkable 23-year run as an NFL head coach may have ended Wednesday with three games left in a disappointing season.The Falcons (3-10) had high hopes after making the second round of the playoffs last season. But the team collapsed after Michael Vick broke his leg in a preseason game.Reeves firing came just three days after Vick made his first start of the season, leading the Falcons to a 20-14 overtime victory over NFC South-leading Carolina.If the decision had already been made to release me, my feelings were that I would like it to be immediately, said Reeves, the sixth-winningest coach in NFL history. Its like calling a player in and saying, Im going to release you but I want you to play three more games until I find somebody to replace you.Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, a former head coach in Denver and Buffalo, will take over for the rest of the season.On Tuesday, Blank told Reeves that he would be fired at the end of the season but wanted him to coach the last three games. Reeves wouldnt think of it.I told him he could write the last chapter any way he wanted, Blank said. He came in through the front door. I wanted him to go out through the front door.Reeves, 59, has a career record of 201-174-2, including the playoffs. He had one year left on his contract and didnt rule out the possibility of coaching somewhere in 2004.A windows been closed but a door is open, he said. Im interested in seeing what it is.Reeves has by far the longest tenure of consecutive years as a head coach in the league. He coached in four Super Bowls _ three with Denver, one with Atlanta _ but lost each time.Even Denver coach Mike Shanahan had kind words for his former boss with whom he had a celebrated falling out when Reeves was the head man in Denver and Shanahan was his offensive coordinator. Reeves thought Shanahan was secretly drawing up plays with quarterback John Elway.But all was forgiven on this day.To last as long as he has and to have been in as many Super Bowls as he has is really a credit to what he is about, Shanahan, said. That is really hard to imagine _ a guy lasting 23 years.For the first time since 1973, when he took a year off to sell real estate, Reeves will spend a football Sunday without a team to call his own. What are his plans for 1 oclock, when the Falcons take on the Indianapolis Colts?Ill be watching the game, he replied. You bet.For all but one of the past 39 years, Reeves has been part of the NFL _ first as a player, then a player-coach, then an assistant coach and, finally, as a head coach beginning in 1981.He coached in Denver for 12 years, followed by four seasons with the New York Giants and nearly seven years with the Falcons, making him the longest-tenured coach in team history.Reeves broke the news to his players at a morning meeting. In the afternoon, he began to clean out his office, coming out briefly to shake hands with several reporters.Dan is a sweet guy, very sweet, Vick said. I think he went the extra mile for us, and a lot of guys are going to miss him.But it had grown increasingly clear that Reeves wasnt the right man to lead the Falcons. Hes an old-style coach who loves fullbacks and tight ends. Vick would likely work better in a spread offense, opening up the field for his remarkable talents.In his first start of the season, Vick rushed for 141 yards _ the third-highest total for a quarterback in NFL history.Reeves, who wielded great power over personnel decisions, also has to take the blame for failing to stockpile adequate depth at key positions.In 1999, a year after the Falcons won their first NFC championship, star running back Jamal Anderson tore up a knee and was replaced by Ken Oxendine, last seen in the XFL.This season, backup quarterbacks Doug Johnson and Kurt Kittner played poorly after Vick went down with a broken right leg and needed 3 1/2 months to recover.In addition, Reeves has only two winning seasons in the last nine years. Blank wasnt swayed by the victory over the Panthers.While saying Phillips would be considered for the job, Blank is like to set his sights higher.Among the possible candidates: former Vikings coach Dennis Green and college coaches Bob Stoops of Oklahoma, Nick Saban of LSU, and Kirk Ferentz of Iowa. Greens former agent is Ray Anderson, the Falcons executive vice president.Blank also plans to hire a new general manager, having gone through his first two years as owner without anyone in that post. Tampa Bays Rich McKay is thought to be the Falcons top choice.Blank said the new GM will have control over personnel, making it clear that he wouldnt concentrate all the power in one person.Were not going to have that type of head coach, he said. I believe in checks and balances.Blank had hoped to use the final home game on Dec. 28 to honor Reeves, whose win total is surpassed only by Don Shula, George Halas, Tom Landry, Curly Lambeau and Chuck Noll.Now, it may not happen.Im still hoping in some form or fashion to say thank you for what hes done in the NFL for almost 40 years, Blank said. His career should be honored.