This just in: The Washington Post's managing editor, Steve Coll, has stepped down and is "concentrating on writing." If he's concentrating like we're concentrating, we know he really means that he's going to nurse daquiris while sitting around in his skivvies. Good luck with that, Steve! The farewell note after the jump.

25 August 2004

Colleagues,

Sorry this broke while I'm away. I'll be in the office tomorrow. Meanwhile:

After more than six privileged and uplifting years as managing editor, I've
decided to step down at year's end so that I can concentrate on writing.

While researching and writing Ghost Wars I was reminded of the many ways
that reporting and authorship stand at the heart of my life and ambition.
Management was an unplanned opportunity that launched a wonderful, jolting
journey. I will leave this office with some regret about the loss of daily
comradeship and excitement, but thanks to what you've taught me, I will
return to laptops, airplanes and hotel rooms a better journalist and
person. Thank you for putting up with me in this role; I'm sure it wasn't
always easy.

Thanks also to Len for being such a great partner. Thanks to Don and Bo for
being such tolerant, journalism-minded publishers. The paper is in great
hands and will be for years to come.

While pursuing my next book project, I will stay at the Post on a reduced
commitment, contributing stories and some editing. I hope to report and
write in the Post's pages for many years.

I am proud of all our accomplishments — the big prizes and the small
triumphs — but most of all I am amazed at how this newsroom keeps
reaffirming its commitment to journalism that matters. Our business is
under pressure and the newsroom must change and adapt to new audiences and
new technologies. Yet we know we will not thrive if we do not ask the
questions others won't ask, chase the stories others ignore, or write in
voices that delight, stir and clarify.

Because so many of you are determined to organize the paper around these
values, I feel certain that the transition ahead will only reaffirm and
revitalize the Post's essential strengths.

I intend to stay very actively involved in editing and management until the
end of the year.

Steve