Wade Phillips Fired As Bills' Coach

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) â€” Wade Phillips was fired as coach of the Buffalo Bills for refusing to dismiss his special teams coach following an 8-8 season. <br><br>This was the first time since 1997 the Bills

Monday, January 8th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) â€” Wade Phillips was fired as coach of the Buffalo Bills for refusing to dismiss his special teams coach following an 8-8 season.

This was the first time since 1997 the Bills have missed the playoffs.

The dismissal by owner Ralph Wilson on Sunday night comes after general manager John Butler was fired last month.

Phillips was fired with one year remaining on his contract. His dismissal was tied to his refusal to release Ronnie Jones, who was in his first year as special teams coach and was frequently criticized during the season.

``Buffalo special teams' record was among the worst in the National Football League last season,'' Wilson said Monday. ``I felt we needed a change and that my request was reasonable. ... I did not want to release Wade but his refusal left me with no option.''