*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***

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Jan 04, 1996: -- Shula to Resign! --

Various sources in Miami are reporting that Don Shula - head coach of the Miami Dolphins for 25 years - will officially resign his position as head coach either tomorrow or Monday.

The resignation comes in the wake of the Dolphins' humiliating loss to the Buffalo Bills in the playoff last Saturday.

Apparently Don Shula had a conversation with Dolphins' owner Wayne Huizenga on Wednesday night and made the decision today, on his 66th birthday.

It is not known at this time whether or not Don Shula will remain with the team in any capacity, although rumors are that the remaining year of his contract will be bought out.

Fred Edelstein has further reported in his "Insider" newsletter that Jimmy Johnson's representatives have already had meetings with some of Wayne Huizenga's people. The two men have not talked directly, at this point.

Other candidates for the head coaching job in Miami are said to be Steve Spurrier and Marty Schottenheimer.

My Comments:

My sources in Miami report that Don Shula was pressured into making the decision by Wayne Huizenga. Either Huizenga made so many demands that Coach Shula couldn't live with and he resigned or else Huizenga just told him that he was gone and allowed him to resign instead of being fired.

However, I should point out that this is sheer speculation at this point and we may never know what really happened in the meeting between the two men.

Personally, I feel a little like I did when my grandmother finally succumbed to lung cancer after a 9 month fight. I was sad that she was gone, but I was glad that the fight was over and that she was at peace.

As far as Jimmy Johnson is concerned, I hope that he is the Dolphins' next head coach. I don't necessarily believe that he is the answer to all the questions, but he is the best available candidate (unless, of course, we could talk Joe Gibbs out of retirement).

Finally, however, I should point out that there has been NO official announcement yet from the Dolphins organization. It could turn out that everyone jumped the gun on this - and wouldn't we all feel silly.