Dave Wannstedt had seen enough. In a season that could only be defined as being dictated by Murhpy's Law, Wannstedt officially stepped down as Dolphins coach with a 1-8 record, the worst in the National Football League. Defensive Coordinator Jim Bates was named interim coach and will run the team for the rest of the 2004 season.

Wannstedt coached Miami for over five seasons and never had a losing record until this year. His record was 42-31 including this season's 1-8 debacle. Miami made the playoffs under his leadership in 2000 and 2001 but he was never able to help them advance to the Super Bowl. Wannstedt was the hand-picked successor to Jimmy Johnson.

'I decided to step aside to place the focus where it belongs -- on the football team,' Wannstedt said. 'It was clear that all the conversation about my future was becoming a distraction to the team and interfering with their ability to prepare properly, and this decision should allow them to concentrate on what happens on the football field.'

Wannstedt and the Dolphins were shocked this Summer when star running back Ricky Williams announced his retirement rather than face a possible suspension by the league for drug use. Williams was the best player on the Dolphins and the centerpiece of Miami's offensive attack. Former all-pro receiver David Boston was lost for the year with an injury during the pre-season and the Dolphins year went downhill from there.

Bates has never been a head coach in the NFL before but was the head man of the USFL's San Antonio Gunslingers in 1985. The Gunslingers record was 5-13.