The decision to fire Billick after his ninth season was a dramatic one, as the coach was just one year into a four-year contract extension that paid him $5 million a season. Just a few weeks ago, Bisciotti and the team?s management told Billick he would return next season.

But as the Ravens spiraled into a nine-game losing streak that ended with a 27-21 victory over Pittsburgh on Sunday, Bisciotti had several meetings regarding Billick?s future with team president Dick Cass and general manager Ozzie Newsome. As the meetings progressed, the Ravens? 13-3 finish last season became irrelevant.

“We came to the conclusion that we felt it was in the Ravens? best interest,” Bisciotti said in a news conference yesterday at the team?s headquarters in Owings Mills.

Billick, however, will be paid the remaining $15 million of his contract, according to Bisciotti. Cass and Newsome confirmed they recommended Billick be dismissed and Bisciotti reached his decision Sunday.

Bisciotti met with Billick yesterday morning before the coach was scheduled to meet with his team for year-end meetings.

“I hope that over time, Baltimore views me as quality of an owner as Brian Billick was a head football coach,” Bisciotti said of the man he called his friend. “So, I?ve got some catching up to do to the man I just asked to step down today. The jury?s out on me. Brian?s already got his Super Bowl. I?ll try and make you all proud.”

In a statement, Billick said he would remain friends with Bisciotti.

“It has been a great ride with the Ravens and the fans here,” Billick said. “My family and I have grown to love this area, and this is where we will continue to live.”

Billick, who finishes his tenure with the team at 85-67, has the most wins of any coach in Baltimore professional football history. Just two years into his tenure, he guided the Ravens to a win in Super Bowl XXXV in 2001. But he has not won a playoff game since the 2001-02 season, despite winning two AFC North titles.

When he arrived in Baltimore in 1999, Billick was known as an offensive guru, thanks to his role as coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings. But the Ravens went through several offensive coordinators and consistently fielded one of the least productive units.

Billick?s reign was marked by reports he was losing control of the team, and players no longer wanted to play for him.

“You try to be professional,” tight end Todd Heap said. “You try not to less those thoughts creep in. I can say for myself that I was not feeling that.”

THE BILLICK FILE

» Age: 53

» Hired by Ravens: Jan. 19, 1999

» Fired by Ravens: Dec. 31, 2007

» Ravens record: 85-67 regular season, including 5-3 playoffs

Season-by-season glance

» 1999: 8-8

» 2000: 16-4 (Won Super Bowl XXXV)

» 2001: 11-7 (AFC Wild Card; lost to Pittsburgh in divisional round)

» 2002: 7-9

» 2003: 10-7 (AFC North champ; lost to Tennessee in wild card round)

» 2004: 9-7

» 2005: 6-10

» 2006: 13-4 (AFC North champ; lost to Indianapolis Colts in divisional round)

» 2007: 5-11

Notes: He was tied with Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid and Seattle Seahawks Mike Holmgren for third in the NFL among active coaches with the consecutive seasons with the same team (nine). He was one of just seven current NFL coaches to lead a team to the Super Bowl.