Oxford’s own Jim Bates was named interim head coach of the Miami Dolphins Tuesday.
The 1964 Oxford High graduate’s sudden promotion is the result of Dolphins Coach Dave Wannstedt’s decision to call it quits yesterday midway through an abysmal 1-8 season.
Bates joined the Dolphins as the team’s defensive coordinator on Jan. 24, 2000.
His first game as interim head coach will be away against the Seattle Seahawks Nov. 21.
‘Our focus, my focus, for the next seven weeks will be to get better, to win football games,? he said in an Associated Press article. ‘We will play hard and will step up to the task.?
Bates began his NFL coaching career in 1991 and over the years has served in various coaching positions for the Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons.
Bates played as a linebacker for Oxford High School back in the early 1960s. In 1963, Bates, then a 160-pound high school senior, was named to the All-League defensive team in what was then the Tri-County League.
The Oxford Leader wishes Jim Bates good luck and much success in his new position. Go Dolphins!