NEW YORK - The New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears fired their coaches Monday, only hours after concluding woeful National Football League campaigns.
The Jets dumped coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik after a 4-12 season, the Bears sacked coach Marc Trestman and general manager Phil Emery following a 5-11 campaign, and the Falcons axed coach Mike Smith after a 6-10 record this year.
Two other NFL clubs are in the market for new coaches as well. The San Francisco 49ers parted ways with Jim Harbaugh minutes after a Sunday win over Arizona concluded an 8-8 campaign and Oakland finished the season 3-13 under interim coach Tony Sporano after Dennis Allen was fired following an 0-4 start.
A 37-24 victory Sunday at Miami by the Jets was not enough to save Ryan after his worst showing in six seasons as New York's coach.
We had a disappointing year and we wanted to make some changes, Jets chief executive Woody Johnson said. We're in the winning business. I didn't get into the football business to do this but it's a necessary step.
Ryan went 46-50 with the Jets since taking over before the 2009 campaign, guiding New York within a game of the Super Bowl in his first two seasons. But the Jets have not had a winning season since 2010 and lost eight games in a row this year, the longest slide since 1996.
Smith's ouster by the Falcons came a day after a 34-3 home loss to Carolina in which the winner qualified for the playoffs despite a losing record for the season. The Falcons finished 6-10 this year but went 66-46 in Smith's stay, including four trips to the playoffs. Atlanta enjoyed five winning seasons in a row before going 4-12 in 2013.
Smitty's contributions to our club, team and city over the last seven years are numerous, Falcons owner Arthur Blank said. His accomplishments on the field made him the most successful coach in the 49-year history of the Falcons and we are grateful for the foundation he has laid for us for the future.
Trestman joined the Bears in 2013 and went 13-19 over two seasons. He went 8-8 last year after replacing Lovie Smith, who was sacked after a 10-6 showing in 2012.
I have tremendous respect for this organization, Trestman said in a statement. Chicago is a special city with great fans. I appreciate the warm support my family and I received.
Harbaugh had been seen as a possible coach for the Raiders, but multiple reports said he will sign a deal to guide the University of Michigan.
A veteran NFL quarterback also bid farewell on Monday as Buffalo Bills standout Kyle Orton, 32, announced his retirement. Orton started the final 12 games for the Bills this season after top draft pick E.J. Manuel was benched.
Orton threw for 18,037 yards with 101 touchdowns over 87 career games for Chicago, Denver, Dallas, Kansas City and Buffalo.
AFP
