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Black Monday: What NFL Coaches And General Managers Have Been Fired?

By Danny Cox
Published on: 09:05 PST, Dec 29, 2014

Black Monday has arrived and it is the NFL’s version of “Doomsday,” and it’s something that happens each and every year. It is the day when coaches and general managers usually end up out of a job and looking for work. Well, the day after the 2014 NFL regular season ended has been no different, as a number of teams are now without a coach and some upper management.

As of the afternoon on Black Monday, three coaches had been fired — Rex Ryan of the New York Jets, Mike Smith of the Atlanta Falcons, and Marc Trestman of the Chicago Bears. Jim Harbaugh and the San Francisco 49ers mutually parted ways on Sunday night.

The New York Jets had a lot of promise and a positive outlook at the beginning of the season, but none of that turned out like anyone expected. With that, ESPN reported that both head coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik were fired. After a 4-12 season, the Jets worst record since 2007, this was not a huge surprise. Ryan showed little emotion as he briefly spoke with the team on Monday while Idzik did not talk to them at all. Jets owner Woody Johnson held a news conference to address the firing.

“We’re in the win business and we’re not winning, so I think this was something I had to do…. It became pretty apparent during the season the team wasn’t getting better. Like [former Jets coach and GM Bill] Parcells says, you are what your record says you are.”

NFL.com reported that the Atlanta Falcons have also fired head coach Mike Smith. A 6-10 record in 2014 was capped with a 34-3 drubbing at the hands of the Carolina Panthers who won the NFC South with that win. Falcons owner Arthur Blank did not mince words at the press conference.

A search firm has also been retained by the Falcons just in case they end up firing general manager Thomas Dimitroff. It is believed that his job is currently safe, but Blank has plans on shaking up the structure of the organization.

The third NFL firing of Black Monday was head coach Marc Trestman of the Chicago Bears, and general manager Phil Emery was let go as well. Not only did the Bears finish 2014 with a 5-11 record, but now they aren’t even sure that Jay Cutler will be back with the team after just signing a contract worth $120 million.

A lot more changes will be coming to Chicago as the Bears need a lot of help on defense, offense, and on the coaching staff.

With the firings on Black Monday and the parting of ways with the 49ers and Harbaugh, there are officially five head coach openings in the NFL.

  • San Francisco 49ers
  • Chicago Bears
  • Atlanta Falcons
  • New York Jets
  • Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders fired Dennis Allen in week five of the 2014 season after not registering a victory this year. Now, they will be looking for a permanent head coach to lead them forward like the other teams.

Black Monday in 2014 didn’t seem nearly as bad as it has in past NFL years. There were just three head coach firings and past years have seen a lot more. Still, just because Black Monday is over doesn’t mean there won’t be more bodies heading out the team’s exit doors.

[Image via Getty Images]

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