Dec 7 in Jet History: Joe Walton Gets Contract Extension
Dec 7, 2015 9:48:58 GMT -5
thebigragu and Peebag like this
Post by Lithfan on Dec 7, 2015 9:48:58 GMT -5
December 7, 1988
Three days earlier, on December 4, the Jets had fallen to the Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 38-34. The loss dropped them to 6-7-1 on the season and was their 4th loss in the last 5 games. It also marked the 3rd straight season under head coach Joe Walton that the Jets saw a promising first half evaporate in a late season collapse -- having lost 4 straight to end the 87 season and 5 straight to end the 86 season (although they still qualified for the playoffs in 86).
Despite the “Joe must Go,” chants that rang out at the Meadowlands during the 88 season, the Jets rewarded Walton with a two year contract extension on December 7, 1988. Jets president Steve Gutman knew the decision to extend Walton would not be popular with the fans, and he had this message for us:
“What we have to say to the fans is that all the things that have been said about the measurements of progress are valid. Very few people expected this club to achieve progress and win this many games. Progress is not exclusively measured by the 1988 record.”
At the time, Walton’s career record with the Jets was 47-45-1, making him the only coach with a winning record in Jet history. It would not last long, as the Jets went 4-12 in 1989 and new GM Dick Steinberg would relieve Walton of his duties immediately after the 89 season. He would be replaced by Bruce Coslet.
Source: The Gainesville Sun
Three days earlier, on December 4, the Jets had fallen to the Kansas City Chiefs by a score of 38-34. The loss dropped them to 6-7-1 on the season and was their 4th loss in the last 5 games. It also marked the 3rd straight season under head coach Joe Walton that the Jets saw a promising first half evaporate in a late season collapse -- having lost 4 straight to end the 87 season and 5 straight to end the 86 season (although they still qualified for the playoffs in 86).
Despite the “Joe must Go,” chants that rang out at the Meadowlands during the 88 season, the Jets rewarded Walton with a two year contract extension on December 7, 1988. Jets president Steve Gutman knew the decision to extend Walton would not be popular with the fans, and he had this message for us:
“What we have to say to the fans is that all the things that have been said about the measurements of progress are valid. Very few people expected this club to achieve progress and win this many games. Progress is not exclusively measured by the 1988 record.”
At the time, Walton’s career record with the Jets was 47-45-1, making him the only coach with a winning record in Jet history. It would not last long, as the Jets went 4-12 in 1989 and new GM Dick Steinberg would relieve Walton of his duties immediately after the 89 season. He would be replaced by Bruce Coslet.
Source: The Gainesville Sun
