Tag: fired

Sep 14, 2024; Greenville, North Carolina, USA; Appalachian State Mountaineers head coach Shawn Clark looks on before the game against the East Carolina Pirates at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Reports: Appalachian State firing coach Shawn Clark

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Appalachian State is firing football coach Shawn Clark after a 5-6 season, according to multiple media reports.

Clark, 49, compiled a 40-24 record with the Mountaineers, including a 3-1 record in bowl games.

Clark took over at his alma mater in December 2019 after Eli Drinkwitz departed to become the head coach at Missouri.

The Mountaineers were 9-3 in his first full season in 2020 and finished 10-4 in 2021. This was his first losing season.

Before becoming an assistant coach at Appalachian State in 2016, Clark coached the offensive line for Kent State (2013-15), Purdue (2009-12) and Eastern Kentucky (2003-08).

The Mountaineers’ season ended Saturday with a 29-20 loss at Georgia Southern.

–Field Level Media

Feb 28, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas speaks to the press at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Reports: Jets fire general manager Joe Douglas

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New York Jets’ season of upheaval continued Tuesday with the reported firing of general manager Joe Douglas.

The Jets (3-8) fired head coach Robert Saleh on Oct. 8 and are 1-5 under interim coach Jeff Ulbrich.

New York headed into its bye week with a 28-27 loss at home against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

Douglas, 48, signed a six-year contract to become the Jets GM in June 2019. Since then, New York has compiled a record of 30-64 with zero playoff appearances, continuing a drought that dates back to 2010.

This season began with Super Bowl aspirations as four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers returned from an Achilles injury. Instead, the offense ranks 26th in the NFL in scoring (18.5 ppg) and yards (294.4).

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Massachusetts Minutemen head coach Don Brown looks on from the sideline during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Penn State defeated Massachusetts 63-0. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

UMass fires coach Don Brown amid 2-8 season

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UMass fired coach Don Brown on Monday after a 2-8 start to his third season.

Offensive coordinator Shane Montgomery will be the interim coach for the Minutemen’s final two games.

Brown’s record was 6-28, including 1-11 in his first year back with the program in 2022.

Brown, 69, previously served as head coach at UMass in the Football Championship Subdivision from 2004-08 and compiled a record of 43-19. He was also the program’s defensive coordinator from 1998-99.

“I am extremely grateful to Coach Brown for returning to UMass three years ago to help us build back a program he once coached to a national title game,” athletic director Ryan Bamford said. “Don should have immense pride in the outstanding contributions he has made to advance Massachusetts Football during his three stops in Amherst.

“Upon his return in 2021, we shared a common goal to help UMass football attain conference membership, something that was realized last spring. Largely due to his renowned coaching reputation, Don legitimized our FBS program and Massachusetts football has taken positive steps forward since his return. We are structurally positioned to accomplish our competitive goals as we move into a new league and a new college athletics landscape in 2025.”

The Minutemen lost 35-34 in overtime to visiting Liberty on Saturday after squandering a 20-7 halftime lead.

UMass, currently an FBS independent, plays at No. 8 Georgia on Saturday before finishing at home against UConn on Nov. 30.

UMass is scheduled to join the Mid-American Conference for all sports in the 2025-26 season.

Brown’s collegiate coaching career began in the early 1980s and includes stints as the defensive coordinator for Arizona (2021), Michigan (2016-20), Boston College (2013-15), UConn (2011-12) and Maryland (2009-10).

–Field Level Media

Oct 17, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen reacts to a play call against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Saints fire Dennis Allen with losing streak at seven games

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Dennis Allen was fired as head coach of the New Orleans Saints on Monday following the team’s seventh consecutive loss.

Allen was 18-25 with the Saints, who won their first two games this season in dominant fashion over the Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys before their current nosedive began.

The Saints named special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

In a team release, Saints owner Gayle Benson said the decision to fire Allen was “very tough for me and our organization” but one “I felt we needed to make at this time.”

New Orleans (2-7) lost 23-22 at Carolina on Sunday, blowing a lead and becoming the first team in 20 seasons to lose despite an advantage of 150-plus yards total offense, rushing for 150-plus yards and winning the turnover margin.

Allen, 52, was promoted from his post as defensive coordinator to replace Sean Payton in 2022, when general manager Mickey Loomis cited his familiarity with the culture and roster as a key factor in the decision.

“This season we have had an avalanche of injuries,” Loomis said in the release. “It took its toll. DA has never offered excuses, he fought each day for this organization and this team and that is what makes today disappointing. Dennis has been an integral part of this team’s success for the better part of 20 years. He will be missed.”

Allen was fired as head coach of the then-Oakland Raiders after an 0-4 start in 2014 and then spent seven seasons as Payton’s defensive coordinator in New Orleans.

In two stints covering parts of six seasons as a head coach, Allen has never taken a team to the playoffs.

Allen is the second NFL coach to be fired this season, joining the New York Jets’ Robert Saleh (Oct. 8).

–Field Level Media

Oct 15, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A Washington Commanders helmet on the sideline against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Commanders fire VP of content for comments on players, Jerry Jones

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The Washington Commanders fired their vice president of content Thursday, one day after his disparaging remarks about the team’s players and others became public.

The Commanders had suspended Rael Enteen on Wednesday for comments he made to an undercover reporter for the O’Keefe Media Group.

Enteen said that Washington’s players were homophobic, accused Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones of being a racist and called NFL commissioner Roger Goodell a “$50 million puppet.”

“The language used in the video runs counter to our values at the Commanders organization,” a team spokesperson said Wednesday.

According to the O’Keefe Media Group, Enteen met with one of their reporters on a dating app and also twice at a restaurant in Washington, D.C., in June.

Enteen told the reporter that “over 50 percent of our roster is white religious, and God says, ‘F— the gays.’ Their interpretation. I don’t buy any of that. Another big chunk is low-income African Americans that comes from a community that is inherently very homophobic.”

He said some players are “dumb as hell” and might be more susceptible to conspiracy theories if they “get their heads knocked around a few times.”

As for Goodell, Enteen said: “I don’t think the commissioner of the NFL hates gay people, hates black people. Jerry Jones, who really runs the NFL, I think he hates gay people, black people.”

He also told the unidentified reporter that “most of the fans are high-school-educated alcoholics” and called them “mouth breathers.”

Enteen had been with the organization for four years.

The Commanders open the season on the road Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

–Field Level Media

Oct 22, 2022; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; Boise State Broncos head coach Andy Avalos looks on in the first quarter against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Boise State fires football coach Andy Avalos in third season

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Boise State fired football coach Andy Avalos on Sunday with two games left in the regular season.

Defensive coordinator Spencer Danielson will lead the team as interim head coach for the rest of the season.

“I am grateful for the passion, effort and dedication Andy has given to our community and his alma mater while serving as our head coach,” athletic director Jeramiah Dickey said in a statement announcing the coaching change. “Andy will always be a Bronco and we wish him and his family all the best in their next steps.”

The school said a national search for Avalos’ replacement would begin right away.

According to the USA Today college football salaries report, Avalos is owed a buyout of nearly $3.3 million.

Avalos was a team captain and all-conference linebacker during his playing career (2000-04) at Boise State. He was hired on Jan. 9, 2021, to replace Bryan Harsin, who went to Auburn.

At the time of his hiring, Avalos was the defensive coordinator at Oregon.

The 42-year-old Avalos leaves the Broncos with a 22-14 overall record, including 5-5 (4-2 Mountain West Conference) this season. He was named the Mountain West Coach of the Year in 2022 after the Broncos finished 10-4.

The Broncos lost at least four games each season, however, under Avalos. In the span between 2002 and his arrival in 2021, they lost four games or more three times.

Boise State defeated New Mexico 42-14 on Saturday and still could win the MWC title.

The Broncos close the season with games at Utah State next Saturday and against Air Force on Nov. 24.

Avalos was one of two FBS coaches fired Sunday. Texas A&M also relieved Jimbo Fisher of his duties.

–Field Level Media

Nov 26, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh watches from the sideline beside off-field analyst Connor Stalions, right, during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium.

Reports: Michigan fires Connor Stalions amid sign-stealing allegations

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Michigan has fired football analyst Connor Stalions, the staffer linked to the NCAA’s investigation into allegations of sign-stealing, several outlets reported Friday.

Stalions was pinpointed as a person of interest in the investigation two weeks ago, and the Wolverines suspended him on Oct. 20.

Since then, multiple outlets have reported that Stalions had purchased game tickets for Big Ten foes as well as several potential College Football Playoff opponents like Georgia, Clemson and Alabama. Previous reports indicated that Stalions bought seats at numerous Big Ten games in areas where the opponents’ sidelined play signals could be viewed.

Officials at Central Michigan were reviewing photos that could depict Connor Stalions roaming its sidelines in the season opener at Michigan State, ESPN reported Tuesday.

Scouting opponents is not illegal in the eyes of the NCAA, albeit with one major exception. NCAA Bylaw 11.6.1 reads as follows: “Off-campus, in-person scouting of future opponents (in the same season) is prohibited.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 19, 2022; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Northwestern Wildcats head coach Pat Fitzgerald walks the sidelines during the second quarter against the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Pat Fitzgerald sues Northwestern, alleges wrongful termination

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Ousted Northwestern football coach Pat Fitzgerald, fired amid a hazing investigation, is seeking more than $130 million in a lawsuit filed Thursday.

The suit, filed in Cook County, Ill., names the university and its president as defendants. Fitzgerald contends the school wrongfully fired him for cause, defamed him and intentionally caused emotional distress.

Fitzgerald, a Northwestern alum, wants to be paid the $68 million remaining on his contract, which was due to expire before the 2031 season. He also wants millions for future earnings, contending he won’t be able to find a similar job.

By firing Fitzgerald for cause, the university contends his contract is null and void.

“If there was ever an athletic coach at Northwestern University that should not have been terminated, it was Coach Fitzgerald,” said his attorney, Dan Webb. He contended in a news conference Thursday that the school had ruined Fitzgerald’s reputation without evidence.

Northwestern president Michael Schill said in July that an independent investigation found hazing allegations were “largely supported by evidence.”

The firing came after a player came forward to the student newspaper, the Daily Northwestern, and revealed that some of the alleged hazing included coerced sexual acts. Fitzgerald is also accused of presiding over a “culture of enabling racism.”

In a statement, per USA Today, the school said Fitzgerald “had the responsibility to know that hazing was occurring and to stop it” but didn’t.

“The safety of our students remains our highest priority, and we deeply regret that any student-athletes experienced hazing,” the school said in part of the statement. “We remain confident that the University acted appropriately in terminating Fitzgerald and we will vigorously defend our position in court.”

Schill suspended and later fired Fitzgerald following the investigations.

At least 13 players have sued the school, describing acts that allegedly took place, including “naked” events. Fitzgerald has been named as a defendant in six of the lawsuits.

Fitzgerald, 48, coached Northwestern from 2006-22, going 110-101 during his tenure. The Wildcats were 5-5 in bowl games.

–Field Level Media

Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni in Super Bowl LVII against the Kansas City Chiefs at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Eagles fire DB coach Dennard Wilson

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Less than two weeks ago, some Philadelphia Eagles players were lobbying for defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator Dennard Wilson to take over as defensive coordinator.

He didn’t get the position, and now he reportedly is out of a job in the organization altogether. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Monday that Wilson was fired following an “acrimonious meeting” with head coach Nick Sirianni over the weekend.

Instead of picking Wilson, 40, as defensive coordinator, Sirianni went with Seattle Seahawks assistant coach Sean Desai to replace Jonathan Gannon.

Gannon is the new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.

The Inquirer said Wilson and Sirianni met because the head coach wanted to be convinced Wilson was willing to work with Desai. Wilson reportedly said he could move past his disappointment of not being promoted and cooperate with Desai, but Sirianni apparently had his doubts and decided to split with Wilson — and it wasn’t by mutual decision, per The Inquirer.

Cornerback Darius Slay and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson both pushed on social media for Wilson to land a defensive coordinator job. He interviewed with the Cleveland Browns, who hired veteran coach Jim Schwartz for the post in January.

The Eagles, who lost Super Bowl LVII 38-35 to the Kansas City Chiefs, will take the field in 2023 with a new defensive coordinator, defensive backs coach and linebackers coach on that side of the ball. Linebackers coach Nick Rallis joined Gannon in Arizona.

Offensive coordinator Shane Steichen also departed to become head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

–Field Level Media

Dec 4, 2021; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines assistant coach Matt Weiss against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan fires co-OC Matt Weiss after investigation

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Michigan fired co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss on Friday amid an investigation into computer-related crimes on campus.

“After a review of University policies, the athletic department has terminated [his] appointment,” read a statement from athletic director Warde Manuel. “Consistent with university policy, we will have no further comment on this personnel matter.”

Weiss, 39, who was placed on leave Tuesday, released a statement Friday on social media.

“I have nothing but respect for the University of Michigan and the people who make it such a great place,” he posted on Twitter. “I look forward to putting this matter behind me and returning my focus to the game that I love.”

The Detroit News and ESPN reported that Weiss’ home in Ann Arbor was searched by police on Jan. 10. Police have also investigated Schembechler Hall, the home base of the Wolverines’ football program.

“The University of Michigan Police Department is investigating a report of computer access crimes that occurred at Schembechler Hall during December 21-23, 2022,” University of Michigan deputy chief of police Crystal James said in a statement, without naming Weiss. “Since this is an ongoing investigation there is no additional information to share.”

Further details about the nature of the crimes are not yet known.

Weiss just completed his second season at Michigan. After 12 seasons working for John Harbaugh on the Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff, he was hired by Harbaugh’s brother Jim in 2021 to serve as the Wolverines’ QBs coach. The co-offensive coordinator title, shared with Sherrone Moore, was added between seasons.

Michigan is coming off a 13-1 season with a Big Ten title and a loss to TCU in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

–Field Level Media