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Former Miami Dolphins interim coach Jim Bates said Monday he'll seek work elsewhere rather than remain with the team as an assistant to new coach Nick Saban.
"Nick and I are good friends, and we respect each other as colleagues," Bates said in a statement released by the Dolphins. "But I think this decision is in the best interest of the football team."
When Dave Wannstedt resigned as coach in November, Bates was promoted from defensive coordinator and led Miami to three wins in the final seven games. He was interviewed for the head coaching job, but owner Wayne Huizenga hired Saban instead.
Saban said three of his assistants at LSU will be joining the Dolphins staff: Derek Dooley, Will Muschamp and Bobby Williams. Scott O'Brien was hired as coordinator of football operations.
Saban and Bates were assistants together with the Cleveland Browns in 1991-93, and they met last week to discuss the possibility of Bates remaining with Miami as an assistant. But Bates acknowledged it would be difficult for him to resume his former role after being "in front of the room."
Saban said he was disappointed by Bates' decision but wished him well.
"He did a great job under very difficult circumstances," Saban said. "He proved that in addition to being an outstanding defensive coordinator, he has the ability to be a successful head coach in the National Football League."
Saban was offered the Miami job because he had an advantage over Bates in head coaching experience, Huizenga said. Before this season, Bates' most recent head coaching job was in the USFL in 1985.
"We love Jim. He's fantastic, he was fun to watch, fun to be with," Huizenga said. "We have nothing but good things to say about Jim. He's terrific. He just doesn't have the experience that Nick's got."
Dooley and Williams will be offensive assistants, and Muschamp will be a defensive assistant. Their specific responsibilities will be determined when the staff is completed, Saban said.
O'Brien has spent 14 seasons in the NFL, including the past six as assistant head coach-special teams with Carolina, and he was on the Browns' staff with Saban in the early 1990s. He'll handle special assignments for Saban and work with the Dolphins' personnel department.
Source: AP
"Nick and I are good friends, and we respect each other as colleagues," Bates said in a statement released by the Dolphins. "But I think this decision is in the best interest of the football team."
When Dave Wannstedt resigned as coach in November, Bates was promoted from defensive coordinator and led Miami to three wins in the final seven games. He was interviewed for the head coaching job, but owner Wayne Huizenga hired Saban instead.
Saban said three of his assistants at LSU will be joining the Dolphins staff: Derek Dooley, Will Muschamp and Bobby Williams. Scott O'Brien was hired as coordinator of football operations.
Saban and Bates were assistants together with the Cleveland Browns in 1991-93, and they met last week to discuss the possibility of Bates remaining with Miami as an assistant. But Bates acknowledged it would be difficult for him to resume his former role after being "in front of the room."
Saban said he was disappointed by Bates' decision but wished him well.
"He did a great job under very difficult circumstances," Saban said. "He proved that in addition to being an outstanding defensive coordinator, he has the ability to be a successful head coach in the National Football League."
Saban was offered the Miami job because he had an advantage over Bates in head coaching experience, Huizenga said. Before this season, Bates' most recent head coaching job was in the USFL in 1985.
"We love Jim. He's fantastic, he was fun to watch, fun to be with," Huizenga said. "We have nothing but good things to say about Jim. He's terrific. He just doesn't have the experience that Nick's got."
Dooley and Williams will be offensive assistants, and Muschamp will be a defensive assistant. Their specific responsibilities will be determined when the staff is completed, Saban said.
O'Brien has spent 14 seasons in the NFL, including the past six as assistant head coach-special teams with Carolina, and he was on the Browns' staff with Saban in the early 1990s. He'll handle special assignments for Saban and work with the Dolphins' personnel department.
Source: AP