FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - The inevitable became actual on Monday as the New York Jets fire head coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik after a four-win season.
Ryan finished 46-50 with the Jets, being hired in 2009 and taking the franchise to two AFC Championship Games in his first two seasons, in which he went 9-7 and 11-5 respectively.
But New York is yet to finish a winning season since then, ending 2011 and 2013 with 8-8 records and have missed the postseason for four straight years.
Idzik served on the Jets' board of directors for two years, replacing Mike Tannenbaum in January 2013, after six seasons as vice president of football operations for the Seattle Seahawks.
"After extensive thought and reflection about the current state of our football team, this morning I informed Rex Ryan and John Idzik that they will not be returning for the 2015 season," Jets chairman and chief executive Woody Johnson said in a statement. "Both Rex and John made significant contributions to the team, and they have my appreciation and gratitude for their efforts and commitment. Over the years, Rex brought the Jets a bold confidence and a couple of great postseason runs, which all of us will remember."
New York began the 2014 season with a victory over Oakland, but lost their next eight contests before a Nov. 9 win over Pittsburgh. They won two of their last three games.
Second year quarterback Geno Smith took much of the blame for the team's recent performance, finishing with 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Rex Ryan replaced Smith in Week 9 for Michael Vick, though he returned three weeks later.
Ryan, always given to bursts of confidence, avowed on his hiring that he would not "kiss Bill Belichick's rings" in reference to the Jets' division rivalry with New England. Ryan's Jets finished 4-9 against the Patriots during his tenure, including a victory in a playoff contest in 2012.
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