‘”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.”‘
BillsBeat - January 9, 2001
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 … "’
Phillips fired as Bills' coach
‘"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."’
Bills fire coach Wade Phillips
‘Wade Phillips refused to fire special teams coach Ronnie Jones and it cost him his job.’
Wade Phillips and assistants to go
‘Buffalo Bills coach Wade Phillips was fired late Sunday night by owner Ralph Wilson. His unwillingness to make changes in his assistant coaching staff was reportedly a factor in Wilson’s decision.’
Bills fire Phillips - report
‘Bills assistant coaches whose jobs could be on the line include offensive co-ordinator Joe Pendry, special teams coach Ronnie Jones and offensive line coach Carl Mauck. All three are close friends of Phillips.’
Decided
‘Wade Phillips’ three-year head-coaching tenure with the Buffalo Bills will end Monday. Team owner Ralph Wilson is expected to announce Phillips’ firing, in a move that was not expected to be decided until Buffalo filled its vacant general manager position.’
Report: Bills fire coach Wade Phillips
‘Apparently, a new general manager isn’t the only thing the Buffalo Bills need.’
Phillips was reluctant to fire assistants
‘Phillips’ reluctance to fire some of his assistant coaches apparently led to his dismissal. The team has no comment at this time.’
Loyalty to assistants costs Bills coach Phillips his job
‘And late Sunday night, it became the bitter end for Phillips, who was dismissed by the Bills after he steadfastly declined to make staffing changes suggested by owner Ralph Wilson last week and then reiterated in the past 48 hours.’
Bills reportedly fire Wade Phillips
‘"We have no comment at this time," said Scott Berchtold, Bills vice president of communications.’
Longing For Face-Painters
‘They look at me like I’m crazy, or making the whole thing up. They don’t understand how anyone could go to the extremes that a Bills fan will go to in order to feel like part of a team.’