DUCKS STUNNER: COACH FIRED.

Byline: Daily News Wire Services

Ron Wilson, who guided the Mighty Ducks to their first winning record and Stanley Cup playoff appearance, was fired Tuesday.

The team cited ``philosophical differences.'' No other explanation was given for not renewing his contract, apparently even to the stunned Wilson.

``This decision has nothing to do with wins and losses, and it has nothing to do with dollars,'' Ducks general manager Jack Ferreira said. ``It was, basically, philosophical differences which I discussed with Ron this morning. And they are issues that I will not discuss in the future.''

Ferreira and Wilson sat together in the Anaheim Stadium press box at Monday night's Angels game. The Walt Disney Co. owns the Ducks and 25 percent of the Angels.

Wilson, who turns 42 next week, is the only coach the Ducks have had since they came into the league as an expansion team in 1993. This season was by far their most successful; they had a 36-33-13 regular-season record that included a 13-3-7 finish, and beat Phoenix in seven games in their first-round playoff series. They were swept by Detroit in the second round, although three of the games went into overtime.

The team's success, which came after Wilson coached Team USA to a gold medal in the World Cup of Hockey last summer, make him a hot-coaching commodity, but obviously not with the Ducks management.

``I am very disappointed and hurt,'' Wilson said in an interview with XTRA radio in San Diego. ``I truly wanted to come back. . . . We had a five-year plan, we were ahead of schedule. I told Jack last week I wanted to come back, 150 percent. . . . I will go on. But I love Southern California. I've been blessed by this opportunity. I'll be forever thankful.

``They never gave me a reason, though. I'll have to get this Mighty Duck tattoo off my rear. I didn't argue about this dismissal. I'm not going to beg for a job.''

He added, ``As a coach, you live, breathe and die with these guys in the room. You're on the firing line. I took a bullet.''

Ferreira said he had the final say on the decision, that ``it was unanimous by the management team,'' and that he decided over the past week not to renew the coach's contract.

Asked if Disney CEO Michael Eisner had approved the decision, Ferreira said, ``Yes.''

There was speculation that management was unhappy that Wilson, who had not held an NHL head-coaching job until the Ducks hired him, was becoming too much of a one-man show. During the team's time in the playoffs, Wilson was extremely talkative and candid with reporters, although he wasn't necessarily controversial.

Asked if Wilson's dealings with the media had anything to do with his firing, Ferreira said: ``Let's put it this way. Ron's a good coach. He's also a good quote.''

Questioned repeatedly why the philosophical differences caused Wilson to be dismissed after the team had a successful season, Ferreira said he considered letting Wilson go more than a year ago.

Asked if the Ducks organization might be viewed critically by not rehiring a successful coach, Ferreira said, ``No one knew who Ron Wilson was four years ago, so I'll be judged by the future.''

Wilson said he was not bitter with Ferreira.

``I've dealt with him on a daily basis. He gave me everything I wanted,'' Wilson said, adding that he also wasn't aware of any personality conflict with Disney Sports Enterprises president Tony Tavares, which had been reported.

END OF THE LINE

Ron Wilson's record as head coach of the Mighty Ducks:

Season W L T Points

1993-94 33 46 5 71

1994-95 16 27 5 37

1995-96 35 39 8 78

1996-97 3633 13 85

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Wilson coached the U.S. team to a gold medal at the World Cup of Hockey last year.

He coached the Mighty Ducks to their first-ever postseason appearance this year, reaching the second round. They defeated Phoenix in seven games before being swept by Detroit.

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Chart

Photo: (color) Ron Wilson

Chart: END OF THE LINE (see text)