Wayne Fontes & Bobby Ross Archieves

JUMP TO THE BOBBY ROSS ARCHIEVES

HE'S GONE AT LAST!!!!!!!!!!

FINALLY: THE BIG BUCK IS AXED!!!!!!!

PONTIAC, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions fired coach Wayne Fontes today after eight seasons, making him the sixth NFL head coach to lose his job since the end of the season.

The firing ended a tumultuous era in Lions' history. Fontes' job had been on the line for at least three years.

Fontes, who had one year left on his contract, goes out as the winningest coach in Lions' history. Yet he also lost more games than any other Lions coach. Fontes compiled a record of 67-71, including 5-11 this year. But he was only 1-4 in the NFL playoffs, and that, as much as anything, led to his downfall.

"Don't feel sorry for me," Fontes said in an unexpected appearance after owner William Clay Ford made the announcement. "It's a chapter in my life that's over."

Fontes had kind words for the man who made the final decision, calling Ford "the best owner in the National Football League."

Fontes did not take any questions from reporters.

The other NFL coaches to lose their jobs in the past week were Rich Kotite of the New York Jets, Dan Reeves of the New York Giants, Rich Brooks of the St. Louis Rams, June Jones of the Atlanta Falcons and Mike White of the Oakland Raiders.

The Lions closed the 1995 season with a seven-game winning streak, then lost 58-37 to the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC wild-card game. It was downhill after that.

Following that loss, Ford said he expected more.

"It's winning playoff games," Ford said. "How far we go, I couldn't tell you. We've got to get beyond the first step of the playoffs."

If the owner's statement put any pressure on the coach, Fontes never let on.

Ford said at the news conference that he had no immediate replacement for Fontes.

"We're going to conduct an extensive search, hopefully leave no stones unturned," he said. "We're going to look everywhere and anywhere."

The decision was something Ford said was "in the back of my mind" for a long time. When the Lions failed to make the playoffs this year, "that pretty much sealed the fate," he said.

The Lions got off to a 4-2 start this season, but a slide began when injuries undermined an already undermanned defensive unit. And the offense, which last year was the most prolific in the NFL, was not nearly as productive.

Despite having such established players as Barry Sanders, Herman Moore, Brett Perriman and Scott Mitchell, the Lions finished 5-11 this season. It was their worst record under Fontes since 1992, when they also were 5-11.

"You can talk about Wayne Fontes all you want, but we have a lot of so-called superstars on this team," safety Bennie Blades said, after the Lions were eliminated from playoff contention. "For every fence, you look at the weakest link. It's obvious that we have lots of weak links."

Fontes guided the Lions to a 2-3 mark as interim coach after Darryl Rogers was fired during the 1988 season. Fontes was hired as coach Dec. 22, 1988. He led Detroit to a 7-9 record in 1989 and a 6-10 finish in 1990.

Then things got interesting.

The Lions had a six-game winning streak to finish the 1991 season 12-4. Fontes was selected NFL Coach of the Year by The Associated Press.

In the playoffs, the Lions beat the Dallas Cowboys 38-6 and were thinking Super Bowl. Then they were beaten 41-10 by the Washington Redskins in the NFC championship game.

Still, it looked like Fontes had a solid foundation upon which to build. Then tragedy struck. Mike Utley was paralyzed in a late-season game against the Rams, and Eric Andolsek was killed in a freak accident while mowing his lawn.

That contributed to the disappointing record in 1992 and the rebuilding started over. It went fairly well. The Lions were 10-6 in 1993, 9-7 in 1994 and 10-6 in 1995. But they lost their first playoff game each time.

And the fans howled. Their cries reached a crescendo when the Lions failed to qualify for the playoffs this season. Fontes always felt the criticism was unfair, yet he frequently was able to laugh about it.

His anticipated meeting with Ford came up at a weekly news conference with two weeks left in the season.

"The man will sit with me in his office or in my office and we'll talk about it," Fontes said. "I don't think it'll be, 'You're gone and I'll see you later,' or 'All those who are coaching stand up; not so fast, Wayne.' "

Almost to the end, Fontes felt he might survive. Since 1989, his first full season, the Lions had a history of fast finishes. They went 22-9 in the final four games of those seasons. Four of those nine losses came this year, however.

"We've taken a step backwards, and the whole place wants to blow up the building or get rid of the coach," Fontes said after a tough 24-22 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 13. "We can't win it this year, I know that. But I think it can be fixed."

Maybe it can. But the task will fall to someone else.

Lions owner William Clay Ford announced the firing of Fontes at a Thursday afternoon news conference. Fontes had one year left on his contract.

Wayne Fontes leaves as the winningest coach in Lions history but also the losingest.
After a disappointing 5-11 season, the Lions have apparently opted to buy out the final year of Fontes' contract.

"I want to say it's been a great eight years,'' said Fontes, who made a surprise appearance at the news conference. "We gave you guys some hope. When we came here, we never had that.''

Ford said at the news conference that he had no immediate replacement for Fontes.

"We're going to conduct an extensive search, hopefully leave no stones unturned,'' he said. "We're going to look everywhere and anywhere.''

The decision was something Ford said was "in the back of my mind'' for a long time. When the Lions failed to make the playoffs this year, "that pretty much sealed the fate,'' he said.

A recent poll of the Lions' 53 roster players by Booth Newspapers showed 59 percent favored retaining Fontes. But 32 percent favored his removal, with nine players abstaining from the poll.

Fontes, 57, won more games than any coach in Lions' history. But at 67-71, he also has lost more than any other.

With their season-ending loss to the 49ers, the Lions closed the year by losing nine of their final 10 games, including their last five.

Fontes guided the Lions to the NFC playoffs four times since replacing Darryl Rogers with five games left in the 1988 season.

Fontes did not take any questions from reporters but said he doesn't plan to coach again.

"Don't feel sorry for me,'' Fontes said. "It's a chapter in my life that's over. But I aim to remain a Lion.''

Fontes said he would remain in the community, take part in golf outings and enjoy time with his family.

"The Lions have never been cheap,'' said Fontes, who gave Ford a big hug. "This is the best owner in the NFL.''

FONTES' COACHING RECORD

Year W L Result 88 2 3 Interim coach 89 7 9 3rd, NFC Central 90 6 10 3rd 91 12 4 1st 92 5 11 5th 93 10 6 1st 94 9 7 3rd (wild card) 95 10 6 2nd (wild card) 96 5 11 5th Total 66-67, .497 Playoffs 91 1 1 Def. Dallas Lost to Wash. 93 0 1 Lost to G.B. 94 0 1 Lost to G.B 95 0 1 Lost to Phi.

The only active NFL coach who has been with his team longer than Fontes is Buffalo's Marv Levy. Fontes had been Detroit's head coach since Dec. 22, 1988. Levy was named Bills coach in November of 1986.

Fontes coached the Lions to the playoffs in four of the last six years but had just one playoff victory. His best season was 1991, when he guided Detroit to a 12-4 record and a trip to the NFC Championship game and was named the NFL's Coach of the Year.

Five other coaches have been fired and one stepped down over the past week.

MICKEY FONTES!!!!

Fontes was angry about a photo in Saturday's Free Press showing him wearing Mickey Mouse ears and accompanied by a tougue-in-cheek quiz as to why he was wearing them. He felt the item belittled him.

"It ain't funny," Fontes said, walking into the interview room carrying the ears he donned Friday for a photo used for a charitable promotion marking Disney World's 25th anniversary.

"If you don't like me, tell me. That's bull. Didn't like it at all. I did something for charity and for kids, and I'll keep doing things for charity and for kids.

"I've got pictures in my drawer. I should bring them out, of handicapped kids, kids in wheelchairs, kids with no legs. Why don't you guys at the Free Press print that so you can laugh at that, too? How can you guys even sleep at night?

"That was a low blow and it was dirty. If that's what journalism is all about, you guys are in the wrong profession. I'll keep doing things like this for kids, and when I do it, you can keep laughing about it."

Fontes has the right to be angry, but he should not be surprised. He brought some of it on himself.

We shape our images through 30-second television sound bites. That is how President Clinton got elected four years ago and it is how Fontes has built this image of being a pushover and a clown. The bites give us an image of a person, but not the total depth.

Fontes loves to joke with fans and media while poking fun at himself. When fans called for his head, Fontes said he walked with a target on his back. He dubbed himself "The Big Buck."

When the cameras whirl, Fontes is full of one-liners and flashes the big smile that some love and others despise.

The images sometimes make Fontes look foolish and soft. In reality, he is a little tougher and smarter than we give him credit for.

"Some guys have a certain way. My way is not that way," Fontes said. "I don't need to be miked on the sideline so people will see me ranting and raving. I don't need to put on a show for anybody. That is not Wayne Fontes."

It is easy to fire shots at Fontes because you know he won't fire back. The media take fewer liberties with Doug Collins and Scotty Bowman because both are liable to single someone out and lash out.

When Fontes finally fired back, we were shocked. He probably should have done it a long time ago.

But his timing was perfect. He gives the media everything they want. After a game, the broadcast and print media are hungry for postgame quotes. Fontes had a point to make, and what better time than after a game?

Now some people say the fire is back in his belly. Some feel a sleeping bear has awakened. His image has changed, although the man has not.

He is still a nice guy who will joke with the media. But even a kitten shows its claws when it has had enough.

Mitchell's impersonation of Wayne

Scott Mitchell did a Wayne Fontes impersonation at a Halloween party Monday night, saying Fontes is 'a big buck.'

Scott Mitchell showed he has a sense of humor. Now we'll see if Wayne Fontes has one.

Mitchell, the Lions' starting quarterback, tried to impersonate Fontes, the team's coach, during a Monday night Halloween party for Lions players.

Chewing an unlit cigar, with Mickey Mouse ears on his head and a large pillow stuffed beneath his Lions sweat shirt, Mitchell playfully ridiculed Fontes.

"I apologize for benching my quarterback," said Mitchell, laughing with teammates and friends, while being interviewed by Channel 4's Fred McLeod. "I shouldn't have done it."

Fontes benched Mitchell during Sunday's 35-7 loss to the New York Giants.

"Wayno!!!," Mitchell yelled. "I'll bet this gets on the news."

He didn't stop there.

Still pretending to be Fontes, Mitchell mentioned the coach's weight and coaching status.

On Fontes' job status: "I don't know, the media. ... I'm a big buck. The target's on me.

"I'm out there. It's deer-hunting season. I'm a buck. They're out to get me."

On Fontes' waistline: "I'm on a 'see-food' diet. When I see food, I eat it."

When asked why Fontes seems to gain weight during the season, Mitchell rubbed the pillow and said: "Well, when the season gets going, I don't do anything.

"I sit around in the golf cart and gain it all back."

On Monday afternoon, Fontes apologized for pulling Mitchell from Sunday's loss on the second play of a series in the second quarter.

Mitchell, booed loudly by the Silverdome crowd, was benched in favor of Don Majkowski.

Immediately after being taken out, Mitchell yelled something at Fontes while walking past him.

Mitchell was 9-of-19 for 71 yards and threw three interceptions. Bobby Ross

Bobby Ross

Bobby Ross, with a proven record as a winner in college and pro football, has agreed to become head coach of the Lions.
Ross, 60, has agreed to a five-year contract that will pay him an estimated $9 million in base salary, bonuses and other fringe payments. The agreement makes Ross one of the highest-paid coaches in the NFL.
Lions management would not confirm that Ross has been hired, but sources close to the team say an announcement could come today -- as soon as Ross signs the contract. He is expected to be introduced Monday at a Silverdome news conference.
"We are not going to confirm or deny anything at this point," Bill Keenist, the Lions' vice-president for marketing, said Saturday. "That's all we can say."
Ross resigned Jan. 3 after five years as head coach of the San Diego Chargers. He visited St. Louis, Detroit and Atlanta and chose the Lions because of their offensive talent and the control he will have over personnel decisions -- something he did not have in San Diego.
As a symbol of his authority, the Lions will give Ross the titles of vice-president, head coach and director of football operations, sources say.

The Rams were out of contention early. Ross informed the Falcons of his decision Saturday.
Falcons President Taylor Smith was gracious.
"Bobby is a real class act," Smith said. "He had told us from the beginning that he had a good feel about Detroit; because of the weapons they have on offense, he felt he could win there right away.
"He listened to what we had to say, and he gave us a chance, but we were certainly an underdog from the get-go."
Earlier in the week, Ross spoke of his desire to have final say on personnel decisions.
"Any more, that's an essential thing; most coaches are looking for that," Ross said. "You'd like to have say-so in the things that can allow you to be successful."
Ross took the Chargers to Super Bowl XXIX after the 1994 season and did not have a losing record in five seasons with the team. His record was 50-36. The Chargers were 8-8 in 1996.
One reason Ross resigned in San Diego was a philosophical difference with General Manager Bobby Beathard. Ross dictated personnel moves and wanted Ross to fire some assistant coaches.
Beathard complimented the Lions on their decision. "They made a real good choice," he said. "That will be a good match because that's a great organization."
Ross will replace Wayne Fontes, who was fired Dec. 26 after eight full seasons as head coach. In 1996, the Lions slumped to 5-11 and finished last in the NFC Central.
The Lions moved swiftly to find a coach and made it clear they were looking for a high-profile person with head-coaching experience. Only two candidates were interviewed.
Northwestern University Coach Gary Barnett met with Lions officials in Orlando, Fla., last Monday. On Tuesday, Ross came to Detroit and met with the Lions' top management -- owner William Clay Ford, vice-chairman Bill Ford Jr. and chief operating officer Chuck Schmidt.
Sources close to Ross say he was interested in all three teams, but for different reasons. He liked the Rams' young offensive talent -- quarterback Tony Banks, who started as a rookie out of Michigan State, receivers Isaac Bruce and Eddie Kennison, another rookie.
But Rams management failed to give Ross the control over personnel that he was seeking. Also, the Rams' contract offer averaged $1.7 million a year -- $100,000 a year less than the Lions' offer -- sources say. Ross made a base salary of $900,000 in 1996.
The Falcons were 3-13 in 1996 and need a much bigger rebuilding job than the Lions do.
But Ross has a strong link to Atlanta. He was head coach at Georgia Tech from 1987-91. Tech, with an 11-0-1 record, was co-national champion with Colorado in 1990.
Ross told reporters Thursday in San Diego that geography would not play a part in his decision. His only job in 32 years of coaching that could be considered with a cold-weather team was with the Kansas City Chiefs as an assistant coach from 1978-81.
According to sources familiar with Ross, two factors clinched his decision to take the Lions; According to sources familiar with Ross, two factors clinched his decision to take the Lions job:
He was impressed with the presentation of William Clay Ford. Although the Lions have not won the NFL championship since Ford became sole owner of the franchise in 1964, he is recognized around the NFL as one of the most generous owners in the league.
Ross also came away from the meeting with assurance that he will have final say on personnel decisions. That has been the case since Monte Clark became head coach in 1978. The personnel department, headed by Ron Hughes, handles all scouting matters but the coach makes all decisions.
Ross will have full control over assembling a staff of assistants. It is not certain how many of his coaches in San Diego will accompany him to Detroit.
Larry Peccatiello, who was let go as defensive coordinator in Cincinnati before the final game, is the top candidate to head Ross' defense in Detroit. Ross reportedly wants Ralph Friedgen, his offensive coordinator in San Diego the last three years, to follow him to Detroit. Friedgen also is considering an offer to coach quarterbacks at Georgia Tech.
When Fontes was fired, all 14 of his assistants were dismissed, too. Ross is under no obligation to hire any of them, but it is expected that at least three will get strong recommendations to remain -- Charlie Sanders (receivers), Moe Forte (running backs) and Don Clemons (linebackers).

Pro background: Five seasons (1992-96) as head coach of San Diego Chargers with a record of 50-36. Four years (1978-81) as an assistant with the Kansas City Chiefs, coaching special teams and defense the first two seasons and running backs the final two. The Chargers won the AFC West twice (1992-94) and went to Super Bowl XXIX, where they lost 49-26 to San Francisco.

College background: Head coach for five seasons at The Citadel (1973-77), five seasons at Maryland (1982-86) and five at Georgia Tech (1987-91). Georgia Tech was co-national champion (UPI) with Colorado (AP) in 1990 with a record of 11-0-1. Ross had a college record of 94-76-2. Before becoming a head coach, Ross was an assistant at VMI, William Mary and Rice.
Playing career: Quarterback and defensive back for VMI.
Personal: Ross turned 60 on Dec. 26. He was born in Richmond, Va. He and his wife, Alice, have five children.

Bobby Ross isn't just another candidate for the Lions' coaching job.

From the minute he walked off the plane at Metropolitan Airport, Ross -- who took the San Diego Chargers to the Super Bowl two years ago -- made it clear he meant business with his visit to Detroit.

"I have a very strong interest," Ross said. "I have a familiarity with the organization. It's one of the more traditional and established ones in the league. That's very attractive and appealing to me."

Attractive enough and appealing enough that Ross began his homework before meeting with the Lions.

Attractive enough and appealing enough that Ross indicated he's ready to make a decision and go to work.

"Almost immediately, really," Ross said. "There's work to be done."

Although the Lions declined to comment on the specifics of Tuesday's meeting, it is believed that owner William Clay Ford joined vice chairman Bill Ford Jr. and chief operating officer Chuck Schmidt for the talks, an indication that they might be ready to offer Ross a contract.

Ross, 60, has been a hot property since last Friday, when he resigned as Chargers coach rather than fire his top assistants, which general manager Bobby Beathard wanted after San Diego's 8-8 finish.

The St. Louis Rams met Saturday with Ross in Los Angeles, the Lions invited him in for an interview Tuesday, and he is expected to meet with the Atlanta Falcons today -- although Ross was vague on his Atlanta plans.

There was no uncertainty about what he will do if the Lions or Rams make an offer he likes.

"If I had the opportunity at either place, I've never waited long on decision-making," Ross said. "It's a matter of sitting down with my wife (Alice), and if I have the opportunity at either -- or both -- it'll happen pretty fast."

Ross had nothing negative to say about the Rams, but his comments seemed to indicate he would prefer the Lions job. In Detroit, he would have a more experienced team and would have the same control over personnel decisions that Wayne Fontes had during his eight full seasons as coach.

"I would like that," Ross said. "It's something I think every coach would like. You have to be able to work with people. I think that's very important, but when you have the control that ultimately determines your future, I think that's good. I would welcome that challenge."

The situation at St. Louis is less certain. Although coach Rich Brooks was fired at the end of the season, vice president for football operations Steve Ortmayer is still on the job, and it is not certain how much authority the Rams are willing to give a coach.

The day he fired Fontes, William Clay Ford said he will do nothing to change the team's ladder of authority, which means the new coach will have the final say in draft picks, free-agent decisions and trades.

Personnel director Ron Hughes will have input on talent, Schmidt on salary cap matters.

Ross said he thinks the team is still close to being a top contender, although the Lions went from 10-6 in 1995 to 5-11 this season, including a 27-21 loss at San Diego.

"They've got some weapons, I can tell you that," Ross said. "And I don't really think you're that far away defensively. You're fairly young, you've got a young defensive line; there's some real attraction there, too. There's a base in place." Ross spoke highly of running back Barry Sanders. "He's one of a kind," he said. "I don't know if there's anybody who's been any way like him. He's special."

And Ross said he has high regard for quarterback Scott Mitchell, who took much of the blame for the Lions' offensive shortcomings this season.

"He got hurt in our game," said Ross, referring to Nov. 11 at San Diego. "But I also saw him when he was with Miami. He played against us several times. He's a big, strong-armed guy with an awful lot of talent.

"I don't know Scott. I would be looking forward -- if I'm here -- to have the opportunity to sit down and talk to him. I think he's a guy with a tremendous amount of talent."

Ross said his meeting with the Lions was arranged by his agent, Jack Reale of Atlanta, who apparently had talked with the Lions before Ross announced he was leaving San Diego. But he said the Lions' interest was not a factor in his decision to resign.

"I think I knew that after our final game when I sat down with Bobby," said Ross, who had a year left on his contract. "It just looked like for whatever reasons there were some differences, and I felt they could have been worked out. But at the same time, the longer we talked it looked like it wasn't going to be.

"So I think we both kind of agreed it might be best to do it this way, and I'm looking forward to whatever opportunities came about after that."

In five seasons, Ross was 50-36 at San Diego, including a 3-3 playoff record. He also has been a college head coach at the Citadel, Maryland and Georgia Tech, where his 1990 team won a share of the national title.

What would the Lions have to tell Ross for him to take the Detroit job?

"I don't know if it's anything (they say) as much as what I see and if they have an interest in me," he said. "I've been studying the squad. I haven't had the opportunity to look at it on film in my preparation for here, but I looked at enough of it on film when I was preparing to play them, that I have a good feel -- a very good feel."

Commentary: Bring on Bobby :-)
The Lions were the first team in the offseason to land a new head coach. William Clay Ford and the rest of the organization took a gamble by not interviewing Carroll or Lewis, but they definitely have chosen a winner in Bobby Ross to lead the Lions back on the right path. Out of all the coaches the Lions could have landed to replace Fontes, Ross definitely was the safest. Not only is he a proven winner, he brings with him what I think is most important: DISCIPLINE...something that hasn't been with the Lions in years!!! When practice starts next July, you won't see Bobby Ross in a golf cart smoking a cigar nor will you see him hugging every player on the team. You'll see a man who is completly dedicated to his job, unlike Wayne Fontes, and will have his team ready to play once the regular season gets under way. The Lions finally have dished out money for a head coach, and they got their man. As soon as Ross has his staff in place, he'll have a lot of work to do...like talking to Mitchell, Perriman, Blades and Porcher and seeing who he wants back...and deciding which free agents he should go after. William Clay Ford and the rest of the organization finally gave Lions fans something to smile over...but they must remember...the offseason has only begun...and by the time training camp starts, the Lions could have a very different roster than what they have at the present