KIRKLAND – The last time Jim Bates was a head coach at any level, he had an undersized quarterback named Rick Neuheisel calling the shots.
That was with the 1985 San Antonio Gunslingers of the now-defunct United States Football League.
Bates will return to the head coaching ranks this Sunday, when his Miami Dolphins face the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field.
“There are a lot of responsibilities that go with being a head football coach,” said Bates, the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator until he took over for Dave Wannstedt on an interim basis 11 days ago. “So it’s been very, very busy, to say the least.”
Bates has spent 14 seasons as an NFL assistant, but he’s never been promoted to head coach at that level. The only two times he has ever been a head coach were at Sevier County (Tenn.) High School from 1969 through 1971, and with the Gunslingers in 1985. San Antonio won just five of 18 games that year, and Bates resigned.
While it took him 19 years to return to a head coaching position, Bates took pride in a former quarterback who had some success in leading college programs over the years.
“He just has a wit about him, a naturalness about coaching, a good feel for players,” Bates said of Neuheisel, a former University of Washington coach. “(He’s) a good communicator and a quick learner. He definitely was going to be a coach on the rise.”
A Seattle guy: The list of possible replacements for Wannstedt includes some big NFL names.
According to a report in Monday’s Miami Herald, three potential candidates could be St. Louis coach Mike Martz, Denver coach Mike Shanahan and the Seahawks’ Mike Holmgren.
Martz and Shanahan already denied any interest in the job, and Holmgren followed suit Wednesday.
“We love it here,” Holmgren said, citing he and wife Kathy’s involvement in the community. “I don’t want to go anywhere else. We’re trying to get this thing done in Seattle, and I have no interest in any other job.”
Time to shine: As he often does this time of year, Holmgren brought his rookies together and talked to them about the importance of finishing strong.
Most college seasons are close to wrapping up, so some of the rookies’ bodies are telling them the end is near. Yet there are still seven weeks left in the NFL regular season.
“Right now, their season is over that they’re used to,” Holmgren said during his Wednesday press conference. “Right now we’re at the point in our season when you really have to push.”
Holmgren is particularly looking for more of an impact from first-round pick Marcus Tubbs. The rookie defensive tackle missed a week of training camp, reported out of shape, and has been slow to make the progression from college to pros.
“He’s got to step it up,” Holmgren said. “He has got to step it up, so I’m putting it on him. I’m pushing him a little bit.”
Strong supporter: Miami Dolphins middle linebacker Zach Thomas got a pretty jarring wakeup call the last time he faced the Seahawks. Fullback Mack Strong hit him so hard that Thomas came away with a concussion.
“I had migraines that whole next week,” Thomas said of an Oct. 28, 2001, meeting with the Seahawks. “I remember that. He did catch me.”
That block wasn’t the only thing Thomas noticed about Strong.
“I think he does a great job,” Thomas said. “He comes under control, and that’s what you want in a great fullback.”
Quick slants: Seven players missed some practice time. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (knee) and safety Ken Hamlin (toe) are probable for the Miami game on Sunday. Linebacker Chad Brown (knee) is questionable. Linebackers Tracy White (hamstring) and Anthony Simmons (wrist) are out. Wide receiver Bobby Engram and cornerback Bobby Taylor saw limited action at Wednesday’s practice while resting past injuries. Right tackle Chris Terry was excused from Wednesday’s practice but is expected to play Sunday. … Running back Shaun Alexander is the seventh overall vote-getter on NFL.com’s fan voting for the Pro Bowl, yet he’s third among running backs. Tiki Barber of the New York Giants (260,568) and Kansas City’s Priest Holmes (251,686) were ahead of Alexander (232,032) as of Wednesday morning. … About 500 tickets still remain for Sunday’s game, which is expected to be televised on Channel 7.
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