In the NFL, the end of the regular season brings an assortment of emotion. The Robert Griffin III’s and Christian Ponders of the world are elated, while the Tony Romo’s are scraping the bottom of the barrel.
For head coaches and managers, the emotions are the same. On ‘Black Monday’ many coaches are feeling uneasy, relieved, overjoyed or, for an unlucky bunch, perhaps panicked and unemployed.
The first official victim of the day was Jacksonville’s general manager Gene Smith. After a 2-14 season, due in part to Smith’s disappointing draft pick in quarterback Blaine Gabbert, he was given the boot.
Smith, who has been with the franchise since its inception in 1994, has a history of regrettable picks. For now, first-year coach Mike Mularkey is safe, but his fate likely lies in the hands of Smith’s replacement.
After a frustrating season in Buffalo, the Bills announced Monday that Chan Gailey’s clock has run out. Gailey received criticism this year for not using running back C.J. Spiller often or effectively enough, and after finishing his second straight season with a record of 6-10, the Bills have decided to go in a different direction.
For now, Buffalo’s general manager Buddy Nix’s job is safe.
In a significant but not surprising move, Philadelphia’s head coach Andy Reid was also given the axe. In his 14th season as bench boss, Reid led the team to their worst season (4-12) under him and their 42-7 loss to the Giants Sunday was the just the cherry on top of a disastrous year.
Reid may remain with the Eagles in some capacity — some reports are saying as an advisor of sorts.
In a move that was shocking to some, Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery gave coach Lovie Smith the boot. Smith led the Bears to a 10-6 season, failing to make the playoffs for the second year in a row after free-falling for the second half of the year.
Before the Bears began to slide, Smith led them to three division titles and a Super Bowl appearance.
In Cleveland, it was announced that Browns head coach Pat Shurmur, along with general manager Tom Heckert Jr., have been given the boot.
Heckert was named GM in 2010, and Shurmur became head coach a year later. After a 5-11 season, Shurmur was shown the door, and when his replacement is named, they will be the sixth hire for the franchise since 1999. Hopefully the new coach can help them post a winning record for only the third time in 15 seasons.
In New York, Jets head coach Rex Ryan is likely breathing a small sigh of relief. Despite his team being the laughing stock of the league this season, Ryan’s job is safe. The same can’t be said for Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum.
After a season marred by drama, rumours, insults and a quarterback circus, Tannenbaum was the first casualty of Jets owner Woody Johnson’s reorganization strategy. It’s being reported that offensive coordinator Tony Sparano is also likely to get the boot.
The fate of quarterback Mark Sanchez, whose record (6-11) doesn’t do justice to his supreme let down of a season, remains to be seen.
In Kansas City, Romeo Crennell was also fired. The Chiefs earned the No. 1 draft pick in 2013 thanks to their 2-14 record this year, so Crennel’s dismissal comes as little surprise. At age 65, Crennel is likely done coaching in the NFL, though his career 28-55 record as a head coach is probably more of a deterrent than his age.
Though many believed he would also be fired, general manager Scott Pioli remains with the team.
In San Diego, Chargers head coach Norv Turner’s tenure as head coach has also ended. Chargers general manager A.J. Smith was also fired Monday.
Turner has been San Diego’s coach since 2007, and has led them to a 59-43 record in those years. Turner’s departure from the team is not a surprise to most after the Chargers went 7-9, missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
Another double whammy came in Arizona with reports of the dismissal of Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt and general manager Rod Graves.
Graves has been with the team since 1997, but his regrettable decision to trade Kevin Kolb and consequent failure to lock down a suitable replacement ultimately sealed his fate.
Whisenhunt impressed in his first three seasons in Arizona — even leading to Cards to a Super Bowl — but struggled in the last three years, going 5-11 in the 2012 season. According to reports, the Cardinals will likely promote assistant GM Steve Keim to the vacant GM position.
