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.