Dave Wannstedt's journey in the realm of professional football coaching began with his appointment as the head coach of the Chicago Bears in 1993. Prior to this, Wannstedt had built a reputation as a defensive strategist, having served as the defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. His tenure with the Cowboys was marked by a Super Bowl victory in 1992, which undoubtedly played a role in his recruitment by the Bears.

Wannstedt's time with the Chicago Bears spanned six seasons, from 1993 to 1998. During this period, he faced the challenge of revitalizing a team that had seen fluctuating success in the years prior. His inaugural season showed promise, as the Bears finished with a 7-9 record. The following year, Wannstedt led the team to a 9-7 record and a playoff appearance, marking the Bears' first postseason berth since 1991. However, the team was eliminated in the divisional round by the San Francisco 49ers.

The subsequent seasons proved to be more challenging for Wannstedt and the Bears. Despite efforts to strengthen the roster and improve team performance, the Bears struggled to maintain consistency. The team failed to secure another playoff appearance under Wannstedt's leadership, and after a series of disappointing seasons, he was relieved of his duties following the 1998 season.

In 1999, Wannstedt transitioned to the Miami Dolphins, initially serving as the team's defensive coordinator and assistant head coach under Jimmy Johnson, his former colleague from the Cowboys. When Johnson retired at the end of the season, Wannstedt was promoted to head coach. His tenure with the Dolphins began on a positive note, with the team finishing the 2000 season with an 11-5 record and winning the AFC East division title. The Dolphins advanced to the playoffs but were defeated in the divisional round by the Oakland Raiders.

Wannstedt's Dolphins continued to perform well in the regular season, securing another playoff appearance in 2001. However, postseason success remained elusive, as the team was eliminated in the wild card round by the Baltimore Ravens. The 2002 season saw the Dolphins narrowly miss the playoffs, finishing with a 9-7 record.

The 2003 season was marked by high expectations, but the Dolphins once again fell short of a playoff berth, finishing with a 10-6 record. The following year, 2004, proved to be particularly challenging. The Dolphins struggled from the outset, and after a 1-8 start to the season, Wannstedt resigned from his position as head coach.

Throughout his coaching career, Wannstedt was known for his defensive acumen and his ability to develop strong defensive units.

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