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01-12-2006, 05:27 PM
Mularkey meets with Bills' brass
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
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Although he may still be talked into staying on the job, league sources told ESPN's Chris Mortensen and ESPN.com on Thursday that Buffalo Bills coach Mike Mularkey was in an afternoon meeting with high-ranking team officials that could lead to his resignation.
It is believed that the meeting includes Bills owner Ralph Wilson and newly appointed general manager Marv Levy.
Sources said that, because of family considerations, Mularkey intended to walk away after only two seasons, but felt that he needed to meet with Bills management before he formally tendered his resignation. Mularkey had lengthy meetings with Wilson last week as the Bills owner dramatically reshuffled the football operation.
At one point late-afternoon, the parties adjourned briefly, and Mularkey had not resigned at that point. But the session continued after the short break and it was not certain when, or if, Mularkey's job status would be resolved on Thursday evening.
Wilson fired team president/general manager Tom Donahoe, re-hired Levy, the Hall of Fame coach who led the Bills to four Super Bowl appearances, and made other changes to the front office. It is believed that Wilson also suggested changes in the coaching staff and Mularkey subsequently dismissed five assistants.
In the wake of Donahoe's dismissal, Mularkey has become the new target for fans critical of the team's direction. Friends of Mularkey said he was deeply affected by the firing of Donahoe and that this season exacted a physical and mental toll.
In two seasons, Mularkey has compiled a 14-18 record, including a disappointing 5-11 mark in 2005.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. To check out Len's chat archive, click here Insider.
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
click this
Although he may still be talked into staying on the job, league sources told ESPN's Chris Mortensen and ESPN.com on Thursday that Buffalo Bills coach Mike Mularkey was in an afternoon meeting with high-ranking team officials that could lead to his resignation.
It is believed that the meeting includes Bills owner Ralph Wilson and newly appointed general manager Marv Levy.
Sources said that, because of family considerations, Mularkey intended to walk away after only two seasons, but felt that he needed to meet with Bills management before he formally tendered his resignation. Mularkey had lengthy meetings with Wilson last week as the Bills owner dramatically reshuffled the football operation.
At one point late-afternoon, the parties adjourned briefly, and Mularkey had not resigned at that point. But the session continued after the short break and it was not certain when, or if, Mularkey's job status would be resolved on Thursday evening.
Wilson fired team president/general manager Tom Donahoe, re-hired Levy, the Hall of Fame coach who led the Bills to four Super Bowl appearances, and made other changes to the front office. It is believed that Wilson also suggested changes in the coaching staff and Mularkey subsequently dismissed five assistants.
In the wake of Donahoe's dismissal, Mularkey has become the new target for fans critical of the team's direction. Friends of Mularkey said he was deeply affected by the firing of Donahoe and that this season exacted a physical and mental toll.
In two seasons, Mularkey has compiled a 14-18 record, including a disappointing 5-11 mark in 2005.
Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. To check out Len's chat archive, click here Insider.