New York Jets owner Woody Johnson shocked the football world on Tuesday morning by firing head coach Robert Saleh and appointing defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich as the interim head coach. This marks Johnson’s first in-season coaching change in his 25 years of ownership. While he consulted with general manager Joe Douglas, Johnson emphasized that the decision was solely his own.
Saleh, who was reportedly shocked by the news, was escorted to his car by security following a meeting with Johnson and vice chairman Christopher Johnson. In a statement released on Wednesday, Saleh expressed gratitude for his time with the organization and thanked everyone involved.
Under Saleh’s leadership since 2021, the Jets had a record of 20-36 and failed to make any playoff appearances. The team has not made it to the playoffs in 13 years, which is currently the longest active drought in the NFL.
Johnson explained that he felt it was time for a new direction for the team despite having high expectations at the start of this season. He believes that making Ulbrich interim head coach will give them their best chance at reaching their goal of making it to the playoffs.
Ulbrich addressed reporters in a video conference and described his appointment as “four hours of craziness.” He acknowledged that there are big decisions to be made regarding offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett but did not provide any specifics.
The struggles on offense have been particularly frustrating for Johnson, who forced Saleh to change offensive coordinators after last season. The addition of quarterback Aaron Rodgers did not yield desired results either.
Despite this coaching change, there is still hope within the organization as they are only one game behind first place in their division. Ulbrich expressed confidence in turning things around and emphasized unity among players and staff.
While an October firing is uncommon in NFL history, it has happened before. Ultimately, Johnson believes that this decision will benefit both the team and its fans moving forward.