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.
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.
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.
Photo: AFP
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 US$126 million deal.
Kromer was ditched 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.
However, one Bears player believes things can be turned around quickly in Chicago.
Photo: AFP
“We got all the weapons, we got all the tools,” cornerback Tim Jennings told reporters.
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 past 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.
Photo: AFP
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.
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 said he understands that the NFL is 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 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.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care