As has become tradition, the end of the NFL regular season has been followed by Donald Trump’s favorite holiday.
“Black Monday” — as it’s known in league circles — is infamous for teams parting ways with head coaches, coordinators and front office staff, and 2014’s version is certainly living up to the name.
First up on the chopping block: Jim Harbaugh, Mike Smith and Rex Ryan.
Jim Harbaugh has been the head cheese in San Francisco since 2011, and amassed a 44-19-1 record while garnering AP Coach of the Year honors in his first year with the team. Similarly, Mike Smith led Atlanta to a 66-46 record and four playoff appearances over the past 7 seasons. Rex Ryan’s defense-first mindset led the Jets to two AFC championship games in his first two seasons, but his team has struggled since then.
Unfortunately for the aforementioned former play callers, the NFL is a “what have you done for me lately league,” and less-than stellar 2014 efforts have sent all three packing.
Head coaches aren’t the only personnel in the hot seat. Both the New York Jets and Chicago Bears have fired their general managers in the past 24 hours.
UPDATE 11:06 am: NFL reports the Chicago Bears have fired head coach Marc Trestman
UPDATE 5:16 pm: The Chicago Bears have reportedly terminated the contract of offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer.