*** DOLPHINS NEWS ***

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Jan 05, 1996: -- It's Official - Don Shula Resigns --

In a 4:OO PM News conference this afternoon, Don Shula made it official when he retired as head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

Coach Shula said that he made his decision after meeting with owner Wayne Huizenga on Wednesday. He said that he didn't feel he could succeed in a rebuilding of the team, especially for the one year that he had remaining on his contract.

He further stated that Huizenga had offered him a contract extension to stay on with the team, but he said that he didn't want to make that kind of a long term commitment.

"I'm at peace with myself," said Shula. "Through the years, because of time constraints, I have been unable to do the things I wanted with my kids and grandkids. Now, I'll have that opportunity."

Shula further stated that Huizenga will be the man who will make the decision about who the new head coach will be. "The man who chooses the head coach is Wayne. That's his decision," said Shula. "I will help him in any way I can."

The league has asked Don Shula to remain as co-chairman of the league's competition committee.

Wayne Huizenga, when asked about Shula's replacement, said that he didn't know who would be named and that there's no timetable for replacing Coach Shula, but that the team would move as quickly as possible.

My Comments:

There was no mention, in the article that I read, about whether or not Coach Shula would remain associated with the team in any official capacity. In other words, it did not say if he will continue to be the general manager of the team.