"I'm very thankful for the opportunity and very saddened that things did not work out.
I had the opportunity to stay, Mike has been very fair with me, and the final decision, for the Broncos and for me, was to step aside."
UPDATE -- From CBS4Denver.com -- Bates was offered to stay on to coach the Linebackers, but declined. It also mentions that Bob Slowik, who actually held the title of Defensive Coordinator in '07(Bates was the Ast. Head Coach - Defense) will now run the defense.
Denver Broncos defensive boss Jim Bates resigned on Tuesday after the team limped to a 7-9 record in his first year on the job.
Bates' departure was expected. The Broncos finished 19th in overall defense and 30th against the run.
"I had the opportunity to stay," Bates said in a written statement. "(Coach Mike Shanahan) has been very fair with me, and the final decision, for the Broncos and for me, was to step aside."
Bates, whose title was assistant head coach/defense, had success with his system with the Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins, but the Broncos were unable to master it.
Bates said he was "very saddened that things did not work out."
CBS4's Gary Miller has learned that Bates was offered the job as linebackers coach, but declined.
Miller also has learned that defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Bob Slowik will be the head of the defense.
Bates' departure was expected. The Broncos finished 19th in overall defense and 30th against the run.
"I had the opportunity to stay," Bates said in a written statement. "(Coach Mike Shanahan) has been very fair with me, and the final decision, for the Broncos and for me, was to step aside."
Bates, whose title was assistant head coach/defense, had success with his system with the Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins, but the Broncos were unable to master it.
Bates said he was "very saddened that things did not work out."
CBS4's Gary Miller has learned that Bates was offered the job as linebackers coach, but declined.
Miller also has learned that defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Bob Slowik will be the head of the defense.