| 2004: Was hired by the Packers on Jan. 24. ... Enters his 37th season in the
coaching profession, his 15th in the NFL. The Dolphins' defensive
coordinator the last five years (2000-04), he also went 3-4 as the
club's interim head coach, including a 29-28 win over eventual AFC
Champion New England, Dec. 20.
From 2000-04, only the Buccaneers (281.4 yards/game), Steelers (282.5),
Ravens (286.4) and Bills (293.1) played better defensively than Miami
(294.8). The Dolphins under Bates finished no worse than 10th in the
NFL's overall rankings after each of his five seasons, including 2004,
when they ranked eighth despite losing four starters to injured reserve.
The team ranked sixth in 2000, fifth in 2001, third in 2002 and 10th in
2003.
Against the pass, the Dolphins entered the final week of the '04 season
leading the league, but wound up second (162.0 yards/game). Miami's
passing defense did pace the NFL in 2001, and ranked fifth in 2000,
eighth in 2002 and 19th in 2003.
In five seasons, Bates' units produced 18 Pro Bowl selections (eight
players). His squad did not allow a 100-yard rusher over a 20-game
stretch that included the last four games of 2002 and the entire '03
campaign.
Prior to his time in Miami, Bates served as the Dallas Cowboys'
linebackers coach (1996-97) and assistant head coach/defensive line
(1998-99). Bill Belichick originally brought him to the NFL to coach the
Browns' linebackers (1991) and defensive ends (1992-93). Then, after one
year as Atlanta's defensive coordinator (1994), Bates returned to
Cleveland as secondary coach (1995).
One of 13 individuals to serve as a head coach in both the NFL and
United States Football League, Bates spent one year (1985) at the helm
of the San Antonio Gunslingers. All told, he spent three years in the
USFL, including two seasons as a defensive coordinator (Arizona Outlaws
1986, San Antonio 1984). Additionally, Bates coached another year at the
pro level, as an assistant in 1988 for the Detroit Drive of the Arena
League.
College
Has 15 years of coaching experience. A
linebacker at the University of Tennessee (1964-67), he entered coaching
with his alma mater as a graduate assistant in 1968, then made stops at
Southern Mississippi (freshman coach 1972), Villanova (offensive line
1973, linebackers 1974), Kansas State (linebackers 1975-76), West
Virginia (secondary 1977), Texas Tech (secondary 1978-79, defensive
coordinator 1980-83), Tennessee (linebackers 1989) and Florida
(defensive coordinator/secondary 1990) before coming to the NFL.
High School
From 1969-71, served as head coach at Sevier County (Tenn.) High
School.
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