DURHAM, N.C. -- Red Wilson said he had no idea his contract as Duke's head football coach would not be extended, and he will decide in a few days whether to accept two or three other positions he has been offered at the university.
Athletic Director Tom Butters told Wilson Saturday night, a few hours after Duke defeated North Carolina for the first time in nine years, he was being relieved as the Blue Devils' head football coach.
Wilson was in his fourth year at Duke and in the final year of his current contract.
'I had no idea it was coming,' Wilson told The News and Observer of Raleigh Monday. 'I wasn't given any explanation. He just said he thought I'd taken the program as far as I could.'
Speculationabout a successor for Wilson has centered on Jack Bicknell of Boston College and Dick Sheridan of Furman.
Sheridan, in five seasons at Furman, has a 39-15-1 record.
Bicknell, 43, coached Boston College to an 8-3-1 record and a berth opposite Auburn in the Dec. 18 Tangerine Bowl. He is in the second year of a three-year contract.
Duke apparently had been coach-searching for some time. Butters did not attend the North Carolina State game Nov. 13 and Associate Athletic Director Steve Vacendak was in Boston this past weekend, presumably to talk with Bicknell, the newspaper reported.
Johnny Moore, a member of Duke's sports information office, said Wilson had not been fired but that his contract would not be extended.
'He's retiring from football,' Moore said.
Red Wilson said he had no idea his contract as Duke's head football coach would not be extended, and he will decide in a few days whether to accept two or three other positions he has been offered at the university.
Athletic Director Tom Butters told Wilson Saturday night, a few hours after Duke defeated North Carolina for the first time in nine years, he was being relieved as the Blue Devils' head football coach.
Wilson was in his fourth year at Duke and in the final year of his current contract.
'I had no idea it was coming,' Wilson told The News and Observer of Raleigh Monday. 'I wasn't given any explanation. He just said he thought I'd taken the program as far as I could.'
Speculation about a successor for Wilson has centered on Jack Bicknell of Boston College and Dick Sheridan of Furman.
Sheridan, in five seasons at Furman, has a 39-15-1 record.
Bicknell, 43, coached Boston College to an 8-3-1 record and a berth opposite Auburn in the Dec. 18 Tangerine Bowl. He is in the second year of a three-year contract.
Duke apparently had been coach-searching for some time. Butters did not attend the North Carolina State game Nov. 13 and Associate Athletic Director Steve Vacendak was in Boston this past weekend, presumably to talk with Bicknell, the newspaper reported.
Johnny Moore, a member of Duke's sports information office, said Wilson had not been fired but that his contract would not be extended.
'He's retiring from football,' Moore said.
Former offensive coordinator Steve Spurrier said, 'as I understand it, he (Wilson) only wanted to coach a couple more years and then retire. I guess they didn't want him to coach another couple years.
'I'm surprised and disappointed. I think it's a shame. The last two years he was 6 and 5 and that's the first time in 20 years. He ran a good, clean program and I'm sorry to see it happen. He was a big help in my coaching career.'
Spurrier was named head coach of the Tampa Bay Bandits of the new United States Football League Monday night.
Wilson's players said they were 'shocked' by the university's actions.
'Yesterday, we were talking about going to a bowl game. Today, the whole staff is fired. I thought this was one of the most successful seasons Duke has ever had,' said Tim Bumgarner, a senior offensive tackle.
Duke was being considered for the Hall of Fame Bowl after its upset win over North Carolina. The invitation eventually went to the Air Force Academy.
'I always try to look for some logic in any situation,' Bumgarner said. 'But I fail to see any here. This leaves a bad taste in my mouth about Duke University.'
Although there was no official word, Duke coaches received a message the entire staff was being let go. They were in the office Monday, cleaning out their desks.
Offensive line coach Eddie Williamson was recruiting in South Carolina when he received a call from his wife saying all the coaches were being called home.
'It was a surprise to me. Most people picked us to win three or four games,' Williamson said.
Duke finished 6-5 this season for the second straight year. The Blue Devils were 2-8-1 and 2-9 in Wilson's first two years.
Wilson, 56, was head coach at Elon College from 1967 through 1976, compiling a 72-34-2 record.
Prior to Saturday's win over North Carolina, there were reports Wilson had to win the game to secure his job, but he refused to comment on those reports after the game.
'I'll not be a part of such talk,' Wilson said. 'It's rotten to the core. Such talk distracts from this great victory our players earned out there. I don't think it's fair that I have to be subjected to such a line of questioning.'
Wilson became Duke's head coach when Mike McGee suddenly was dismissed following a loss to North Carolina in 1978.
'I'm surprised and disappointed. I think it's a shame. The last two years he was 6 and 5 and that's the first time in 20 years. He ran a good, clean program and I'm sorry to see it happen. He was a big help in my coaching career.'
Spurrier was named head coach of the Tampa Bay Bandits of the new United States Football League Monday night.
Wilson's players said they were 'shocked' by the university's actions.
'Yesterday, we were talking about going to a bowl game. Today, the whole staff is fired. I thought this was one of the most successful seasons Duke has ever had,' said Tim Bumgarner, a senior offensive tackle.
Duke was being considered for the Hall of Fame Bowl after its upset win over North Carolina. The invitation eventually went to the Air Force Academy.
'I always try to look for some logic in any situation,' Bumgarner said. 'But I fail to see any here. This leaves a bad taste in my mouth about Duke University.'
Although there was no official word, Duke coaches received a message the entire staff was being let go. They were in the office Monday, cleaning out their desks.
Offensive line coach Eddie Williamson was recruiting in South Carolina when he received a call from his wife saying all the coaches were being called home.
'It was a surprise to me. Most people picked us to win three or four games,' Williamson said.
Duke finished 6-5 this season for the second straight year. The Blue Devils were 2-8-1 and 2-9 in Wilson's first two years.
Wilson, 56, was head coach at Elon College from 1967 through 1976, compiling a 72-34-2 record.
Prior to Saturday's win over North Carolina, there were reports Wilson had to win the game to secure his job, but he refused to comment on those reports after the game.
'I'll not be a part of such talk,' Wilson said. 'It's rotten to the core. Such talk distracts from this great victory our players earned out there. I don't think it's fair that I have to be subjected to such a line of questioning.'
Wilson became Duke's head coach when Mike McGee suddenly was dismissed following a loss to North Carolina in 1978.
