Posted on 01/02/2006 12:41:11 PM PST by Ellesu
SAN ANTONIO -- The Saints fired coach Jim Haslett on Monday, the day after ending a 3-13 season overshadowed by the hurricane that devastated New Orleans and forced the team to abandon the city.
Haslett was 45-51 in six seasons with the Saints and had the second-most victories in team history behind Jim Mora's 93.
Saints spokesman Greg Bensel said Jim Haslett was relieved of his duties Monday morning, and that general manager Mickey Loomis would discuss the situation at a news conference.
Haslett, 50, wasn't expected to attend the news conference.
Haslett, the 2000 NFL Coach of the Year after leading the Saints to the only playoff victory in team history, had one year left on his contract. He was 45-51 in six seasons with New Orleans and had the second-most victories in team history behind Jim Mora's 93.
New Orleans hasn't had a winning season since 2002, and this year was marred before it even began. The Saints were forced from their city when Hurricane Katrina blasted the Gulf Coast in August, moving their training camp to San Antonio, then playing four home games in Baton Rouge, La., three in San Antonio and one in New Jersey.
New Orleans opened the season with an emotional win at Carolina, but finished by losing 11 of 12, including Sunday's season-ending 27-13 defeat at Tampa Bay.
The turmoil surrounding the Saints slowly took its toll on them.
Their practice site changed frequently because of previously scheduled events in the Alamodome, and their locker room was part of a high school baseball complex. Players voiced their frustrations, and receiver Joe Horn was a frequent critic of the league.
"This is not a 3-13 football team. They've been through a lot," Haslett said after the loss to Tampa Bay.
Haslett never followed up his fast start in New Orleans. Although they had just two losing seasons, the Saints never returned to the playoffs under Haslett after 2000. They were 9-4 and appeared headed for the postseason in 2002 before losing their last three. New Orleans was 8-8 the past two seasons.
Haslett broke in as an NFL coach working with linebackers with the Los Angeles Raiders in 1993 before his first stint with the Saints in 1995-96. He was the defensive coordinator his second year with the Saints and for three seasons with Pittsburgh from 1997-99.
Down they go.... up to 9 vacancies this time around in the NFL. I thought the worst fire was Mike Tice. He was dealt several bad hands and made a run at the playoffs anyway. He should get another gig quickly...
So far it's been curtains for Haslett, Capers, and every coach named Mike!
Not Mike Holmgren.
He got dealt a bad hand this year, but NO has sucked for years, and they've traded away any talent they had.
Do not forget their best player was Deuce and he was injury before the season even started....
Sure a coach with the Tice's stellar W/L record and the way he has run such a classy program should get ... oh wait ..
Buffalo's opportunity to pick up a better coach. Come to think of it, he could play and improve the team.
yeah - I guess Holmgren is safe for now but wasn't it just last year they were ready to ride him outta town on a rail?
WTF???? How can he be responsible for what Fred Smoot does off the field???? He went 26-22 over three seasons despite key injuries, having a low budget for a staff, etc, etc, etc.
Unbelievable, that they would extend Millen like that.
Now the one good thing the Lions need to do is bring in Martz as Offensive Coordinator, not as a head coach.
I never liked Haslett, but if we could trade the owner away we would be in even better shape. What kind of coach can NO expect to get now, other than a desperate one.
I hope you are kidding. That was probably the only head coaching gig he'll ever get in the NFL.
Yes they are. They lost 13 and won 3.
That's about it. Probably a current NFL assistant. Can't say who.
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