Controversy was Sam Wyche's hallmark during eight years coaching the Cincinnati Bengals. It became his legacy to the franchise when he left.
Wyche either quit or was fired as the Bengals' coach Tuesday morning following a meeting with general manager Mike Brown that ended his career with yet another strange dispute.The team says he resigned. Wyche insists he was fired. There's $1 million worth of difference in their positions.
Wyche, 46, had two years left on his contract worth that much. If he was fired, he'll still get the $1 million. If he quit, the team doesn't have to pay it.
Neither Wyche nor Brown would elaborate on what happened during their meeting Tuesday. Wyche turned the matter over to his lawyers, an indication he's determined to make the Bengals pay. Brown tersely refused to talk about it.
Only two things are certain: Wyche's coaching career in Cincinnati is over, and the way it ended will be remembered as another embarrassment in the franchise's worst year.
The Bengals' 29-7 victory Sunday over New England left them 3-13, the worst record in their 24 years. Wyche had indicated recently he wanted an expanded role from Brown, who makes all personnel decisions.
That evidently became the barrier to Wyche returning.
Shortly after their meeting Tuesday, the Bengals released a statement saying Wyche had decided to resign.
"He has done a lot for the team in the eight years he has been head coach for the team," Brown's statement said. "He has been an innovative coach and his football was entertaining to the fans. We thank him for all he has done and wish him well."
Brown refused to say any more. Reached by telephone at the Bengals' offices, he told a reporter, "I don't have anything to say to you at the moment."
The team's release surprised everyone - including Wyche. A few hours later, the law firm that represents him issued a news release saying he was forced out.
"I have not resigned my position as head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals. I was simply fired by Mike Brown at a meeting today," Wyche said. "I have no idea why the Bengals have chosen to announce this as my decision to leave."
Wyche declined further comment. But his 20-year-old son, Zak, said Wyche had given no indication Monday night that he planned to quit.
"He didn't say anything to us," Zak Wyche said. "I didn't hear about it until today."
Although Brown wouldn't say what caused the schism, he later told the Cincinnati Enquirer he didn't intend to fire Wyche when they sat down Tuesday.
"I'm not going to get into what was said, but I went into our meeting with every intention of continuing our relationship," Brown told the newspaper. "I thought we'd sit down, talk about things, put some things behind us, and go on into next season. But we had a three-hour meeting, and it turned out it just wasn't going to be, and he left, and it's over."
Not until they decide to settle their million-dollar squabble.
It wasn't surprising that Wyche and Brown wound up at odds. It's been apparent since training camp there were some major differences.
Wyche was picked to coach the Bengals before the 1984 season by franchise founder Paul Brown, for whom Wyche had played quarterback. Wyche and Paul Brown had a close relationship, and Brown chose to bring him back following the team's 4-11 finish in 1987.
Wyche took the Bengals to the Super Bowl the next year and was rewarded with his current five-year contract.
Paul Brown died before last season, and Mike Brown - previously his father's assistant - assumed full control of the team. He and Wyche had some public disagreements.
When Brown chose to cut running back Stanford Jennings before the season, Wyche made it clear he strongly disagreed, a bold move for the head coach.
When Wyche began feuding with the media and officials, Brown publicly expressed exasperation. And as the season wound down, Wyche indicated he wanted an expanded role in decision-making.
Instead, he leaves with a controversy and a history of erratic behavior and results.