DOLPHINS Spielman will return as team GM

He already has a plan in place for assembling a list of coaching candidates.
SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL
DAVIE, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins' coaching search has already taken a curious twist.
In a move that could narrow the list of candidates interested in the position, Rick Spielman said Wednesday that Dolphins owner H. Wayne Huizenga has personally assured him that he will return as general manager in 2005.
An NFL source with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday that Spielman's position with the team wasn't necessarily guaranteed for next season because Huizenga may be willing to give power over personnel decisions to the right coaching applicant. But Spielman insisted Wednesday that wasn't the case.
"I know that I will be the general manager here," Spielman said.
Huizenga unavailable
Huizenga, who didn't attend Wannstedt's resignation news conference Tuesday, remained unavailable to the media for comment.
If Spielman returns for a second year as general manager, the Dolphins are potentially limiting the field of applicants because some coaches may only be interested if given the chance to either serve a dual role as general manager or have the ability to hire their own personnel staff.
Those opportunities might be offered by another franchise making a coaching change for next season.
Spielman's return also could impact the list of candidates to succeed Eddie Jones as the Dolphins' president following his retirement in early 2005.
Should the Dolphins seek a replacement with a more football-oriented background than one with business roots like Jones, having to inherit a general manager may make the position less appealing.
Not popular decision
Spielman knows Huizenga's decision to retain him won't be popular among those who believe the franchise should clean house after this season's 1-8 start.
Spielman's personnel moves in his first year as general manager have yet to pay dividends, especially the decision to send a 2005 second-round draft choice to Philadelphia for quarterback A.J. Feeley.
Asked about fans who believe he should join Wannstedt among the unemployed, Spielman said: "When you're 1-8, everybody should go. To me, that's just part of it. When I was a fan when I grew up and the team wasn't doing good, I'd be mad, too. But that's part of the business.
"You have your high cycles and you have your low cycles. Right now, we just happen to be in a low cycle."
Plan in place
Spielman said he already has a plan in place to begin assembling a list of coaching candidates and what he wants to know before making recommendations to Huizenga.
"What I've done is go through each minute detail in football operations from the offense, defense and special teams," said Spielman, who is under contract with the Dolphins through the 2006 season. "We have very specific questions, and part of that process is in the interviews you want to get to know this person and how he's going to handle things.
"I'm sure part of the interview process will be some scenarios that will be brought up. We've had to deal with a few scenarios this year. It would be interesting to see how people handle those scenarios."