This Day in Football History

2011 - Dolphins fire Tony Sparano

After three-plus seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Tony Sparano is dismissed as head coach of the team.

Assistant coach Todd Bowles is named interim head coach.

Sparano's firing comes one day after a 26-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles - the Dolphins' ninth of the season and second in the past three games. During his tenure with the Dolphins, Sparano compiled a 29-33 record.

"The results speak for themselves," owner Stephen Ross says during a news conference. "We're looking to becoming a winning organization, and I thought this was the best time to make the change and let us go in a direction that will allow us to become that."

2011 - Chiefs fire Todd Haley

The Kansas City Chiefs announce the firing of head coach Todd Haley, less than a year after he led the team to an AFC West title. 

Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel replaces Haley as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

The Chiefs are coming off a 37-10 loss to the New York Jets, in which they committed 11 penalties for 128 yards, including a 15-yarder on Haley for unsportsmanlike conduct. The loss dropped Kansas City to 5-8.

"Timing in these situations is always difficult. There never seems to be a right time," chairman and CEO Clark Hunt said following the decision. "We just felt the inconsistent play the team has experienced throughout the season, including yesterday's game, made today the right day to do it."

2007 - Bobby Petrino resigns as head coach of Falcons

Bobby Petrino resigns from his position as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons after just 13 games to return to the college ranks.

Petrino, who, after leaving Louisville in January 2007, signed a five-year, $24-million deal with the Falcons, takes over for the recently-departed Houston Nutt at Arkansas. He explains his decision in this 78-word letter addressed to his players:

Atlanta Falcons Players,

Out of my respect for you, I am letting you know that, with a heavy heart, I resigned today as the Head Coach of the Atlanta Falcons. This decision was not easy but was made in the best interest of me and my family. While my desire would have been to finish out what has been a difficult season for us all, circumstances did not allow me to do so. I appreciate your hard work and wish you the best.

Sincerely, Bobby Petrino

Birthdays

1952 - Rubin Carter
1953 - Rafael Septien
1962 - Ray Brown
1964 - Haywood Jeffires
1967 - John Randle
1967 - Dave Szott
1979 - Nate Clements
1981 - Ronnie Brown
1981 - Andrew Whitworth
1986 - T.J. Ward
1988 - Alfred Morris
1989 - Ahmad Black
1989 - Mike Glennon