Jets coach Eric Mangini fired

12/29/08
jets
By Mae Cheng

Jets coach Eric Mangini fired

The Jets fired coach Eric Mangini Monday morning, a day after the team was ousted from post season play.

Sources have said in recent weeks that owner Woody Johnson, who extolled Mangini's virtues in a preseason meeting with the team's beat reporters, had become frustrated with the team's performance and, by extension, Mangini.

"For the current New York Jets organization, we've made the decision to move on," Johnson said. "It's a judgment call. This is not a decision that we reached yesterday or 10 minutes ago. We don't take this decision lightly. We want to build on the successful foundation that he's laid."

Johnson said he did not consider firing general manager Mike Tannenbaum along with Mangini.The Jets' swoon came after an 8-3 start, losing to Denver, San Francisco, Seattle and Miami. Quarterback Brett Favre threw nine interceptions in the final five games, including three in Sunday's season-ending loss at East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The Jets needed to win that game and have either the New England patriots or Baltimore Ravens to reach the playoffs. Both those teams won before New York's game was finished.

After going 4-12 last season - the franchise's worst record since 1996 - the Jets' offseason overhaul included the addition of Favre, offensive lineman Alan Faneca and defensive tackle Kris Jenkins.

It's also unclear what will become of Favre. After Sunday's loss, the future Hall of Famer quarterback said he is uncertain about his future but his physical health will play a role in deciding whether he will return to the NFL.

- Erik Boland/Newsday
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Jets coach Eric Mangini fired

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