The New York Jets have announced that they have fired head coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik.
Ryan joined the Jets in 2009 and had an immediate impact as he led them to the AFC championship game where they were defeated by the Indianapolis Colts. He repeated the feat in 2010, only to fall short again in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The club missed out on the playoffs in the 2011 campaign, and their continued struggles in the 2012 and 2013 increased the pressure on the 52-year-old, but he was unable to inspire his team as they slumped to a 4-12 record in 2014.
Idzik has also been fired by owner Woody Johnson following a disastrous two-year tenure as general manager as he failed to put enough talent on the field to help his team succeed.
"We're in the win business and we're not winning, so I thought this was something I had to do. I didn't get into football to do this, it's a necessary step for me to do this. I had to do it and I thought it was in the best interest of the team to do it," Johnson told reporters.
"It became pretty apparent during the season as we progressed that the team was not getting better. And, as Parcells said, you are what your record says you are. It was obvious that we had to make a change - it was obvious to me, anyway.
"It was a long run. I think [Ryan] had a tremendous impact. Because I think he made the team relevant in some respects. He did some very good coaching and I knew that every Friday when I talked to him I felt very confident."
Ryan posted a 46-50 record in his six seasons with the Jets.
Simon Sinclair
