AP reports,

The Atlanta Falcons fired Dan Reeves on Wednesday, dismissing the sixth-winningest coach in NFL history with three games left in a disappointing season, a team source told The Associated Press.

Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will take over as head coach for the rest of the season, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The Falcons scheduled a morning news conference to announce the stunning move. The 59-year-old Reeves had one year left on his contract.

Reeves' job security had been a subject of speculation. The Falcons fell from the playoffs a year ago to one of the worst teams in the league after quarterback Michael Vick was hurt in the preseason.

Still, the timing of the move was curious, coming just three days after the Falcons (3-10) defeated Carolina 20-14 in overtime in Vick's first start of the season.

Reeves began the season with his 199th career victory, the Falcons winning 27-13 in Dallas.

Atlanta then lost seven in a row before Reeves finally got his 200th win at New York against the Giants on Nov. 9. Afterward, he said, "It's great. But when you've lost seven in a row, it was all about trying to get them to win No. 2."

Vick broke his right leg in the preseason, exposing the Falcons as a one-man team. Initially expected to be out six to 10 weeks, the third-year quarterback's rehabilitation dragged on for 3 1/2 months.

At one point, there appeared to be a rift between player and coach. Reeves said Vick needed to get back on the field; Vick responded that he wouldn't play until he was fully recovered.

Vick played the final two series in a Nov. 30 loss to Houston, then finally made his first start last weekend. He rushed for 141 yards - the third-highest total by a quarterback in NFL history - and finally brought a little hope to a dismal season.

But Reeves won't be around for the rest of it. He leaves with a career record of 201-174-2, including the playoffs.

Only Don Shula, George Halas, Tom Landry, Curly Lambeau and Chuck Noll won more NFL games.

A shame. Reeves deserved better. The team was built around Michael Vick, who was out most of the season. And, certainly, a man who took this historically inept team to its only Super Bowl appearance deserved to at least finish out the season.