Three
head coaches dumped on Black Monday
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[December 30, 2014]
By Andrew Both
CARY, North Carolina (Reuters) - There
were no surprises when three National Football League head coaches were
axed on what has become known as Black Monday, following the league's
regular season finale.
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Marc Trestman (Chicago Bears), Rex Ryan (New York Jets) and Mike
Smith (Atlanta Falcons) were fired after suffering dismal losing
seasons, and all three departures had been widely expected.
With Jim Harbaugh (San Francisco 49ers) also leaving the previous
day in a widely expected move to take the head coaching job at the
University of Michigan, at least four NFL teams will have new head
coaches next season.
Trestman lasted only two seasons in Chicago and his position had
become increasingly tenuous as the 5-11 Bears toiled to their worst
season in a decade amid reports of ineffectual leadership.
One of Trestman's underlings, offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer,
acknowledged this month being the source of a media report claiming
the team had "buyer's remorse" over the signing of quarterback Jay
Cutler to a new seven-year $126 million deal.
Kromer was also ditched on Monday along with general manager Phil
Emery, who lasted three seasons and eventually paid the price for a
series of questionable decisions, most notably the lucrative
contract extension for Cutler.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2014/Dec/30/images/ads/current/state_bank_sda_christmas.png) One Bears player, however, believes things can be turned around
quickly in Chicago.
"We got all the weapons, we got all the tools," cornerback Tim
Jennings told reporters.
DEPARTURE INEVITABLE
Ryan's departure from the Jets was also just about inevitable after
a 4-12 season. Ryan, who was dumped along with general manager John
Idzik, had been in charge for six years but the team failed to make
the playoffs for the last four seasons.
"We're in the win business, and we're not winning, so I thought this
was something I had to do," Jets owner Woody Johnson said.
An outspoken coach with a lively personality, Ryan made a good start
to his reign by reaching two successive AFC Championship games but
the Jets were beaten on both occasions.
With a lack of stability in the quarterback position, the Jets
failed to post a winning record in the past four seasons.
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Idzik was general manager for two years but received criticism for
his draft choices.
Jets quarterback Geno Smith said he was "hurt" by Ryan's departure
but understood that the NFL was a business.
"We understand these things happen," Smith said. "You've got to
continue to buy in ... whoever the coach is and continue to develop
as players. I think we'll be fine as long as we do the right
things."
Smith's axing in Atlanta came just a day after the Falcons missed a
chance to win the weak NFC South when they were humiliated 34-3 by
the Carolina Panthers to finish the season 6-10.
He was 66-46 in seven seasons in Atlanta. No Falcons coach has won
more games and he took the team to the NFC Championship game just
two seasons ago, but they have struggled since, going 10-22.
Smith came under increasing criticism from fans this season and
reports surfaced recently that owner Arthur Blank had hired a search
firm to assist in the hunt for a new coach.
"This is a business about winning football games and that is how you
are judged," Smith said on Sunday before he was dumped.
(Additional reporting by Simon Evans in Miami; Editing by Mark
Lamport-Stokes)
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