The NFL's "Black Monday" is certainly living up to its name. Already, we have seen seven franchises fire their head coach. In some cases, general managers and other front office people were let go as well. Here's the round-up:
There is no update as yet yet on the status Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli who, more so than Crennel, is the reason why K.C. has underperformed in recent years. Pioli is also the lightening rod for angry Chiefs fans screaming for change.
In Tennessee, it seems Mike Munchak gets to keep his job, even though his owner was none to happy with the 2012 season. However, his general manager, Mike Reinfedt, was fired.
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan announced Monday morning (via NFL.com) that he has fired general manager Gene Smith. Smith was a holdover hire from the Jaguars previous owner, Wayne Weaver. When Khan assumed control of the franchise as owner early in 2012, he opted to keep Smith while letting then-head coach Jack Del Rio go. The Jaguars hired former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey as their new head coach, but a dismal 2-14 season was, apparently, the final straw for Khan.
With Smith gone, Mularkey's future in Jacksonville is very much in doubt.
Smith had worked in the Jaguars organization since their beginning as an expansion team in 1994. He worked as a college scout, and rose up the front office ranks. He became the first general manager in Jaguars history when he was promoted in 2009.
The turnover in Jacksonville will have an effect on the Colts and the AFC South in the coming years. Chris Mortensen of ESPN reported earlier this month that the Jaguars will attempt to acquire Tim Tebow from the Jets, a move owner Shahid Khan tried to do last offseason, but was unsuccessful.
The Jaguars never won more than 8 games in a season under Smith's guidance as G.M. They also never made the playoffs.
The Philadelphia Eagles ended the 2012 season by getting their butts handed to them by the NY Giants, 42-7. Right after the game, Eagles head coach Andy Reid was informed by owner Jeffrey Lurie that he was fired, per a report from Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com.
Reid spent 14 seasons in Philly as the head coach. He also had control over the team's front office, including final say over the roster.
Other reports, several compiled by Jason Brewer at Bleeding Green Nation, say that Reid knew he was fired the Friday before the game. This might explain why the Eagles seemed to play so uninspired on Sunday. They finish the season 4-12 after starting the year 3-1.
The reports of Reid's pre-game status are consistent with other reports that Reid had already begun to compile staff for his next coaching gig, which may or may not happen in San Diego. Chargers head coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith are likely to be fired on 'Black Monday' as well.
Flipping this back around to make this a bit more Colts-centered (I mean, we're a Colts blog after all), if Reid lands in San Diego, that likely means Chargers defensive coordinator John Pagano, brother of Colts head coach Chuck Pagano, is out of a job. The Chargers have been viewed by some (including me) as a possible destination for Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians, who is sure to receive head coaching offers once the season ends.
It also means that John Pagano could find his way to Indianapolis next year as a defensive coach.
