Nov 19 in Jets History: Jets Fire a Winner
Nov 19, 2015 6:40:58 GMT -5
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Post by Lithfan on Nov 19, 2015 6:40:58 GMT -5
November 19, 1975
The Jets had closed out the 1974 season on a high note, winning their last 6 games under rookie head coach Charley Winner to finish with 7-7 record. Hopes were high heading into the 1975 season, especially after the Jets beat Minnesota, Washington and St. Louis, all playoff teams from 74, in the 75 preseason. A playoff berth was expected in 1975.
The season started well enough. After an opening day loss to Buffalo, Winner’s Jets responded with consecutive wins, 30-24 in Kansas City and 36-7 at home against the Patriots. But then, the wheels came off. The Jets lost their next 6 games by an average of 20 points per game. Winner, a former defensive coordinator, watched his team give up an average of 36 points per game in the losing streak, as the Jets fell to last in the league in points allowed. It proved to be too much for Jets President Phil Iselin, who relieved Winner of his duties 3 days after a 52-19 loss to the Baltimore Colts.
"I know Charley Winner is a gentleman and that’s the basis we kept the discussion on.” Iselin would say in a statement to the press. “We made the decision on Monday and hoped we could get through the season but all the speculation and adverse criticism changed my mind. We simply decided that a move had to be made now.”
Winner was replaced on an interim basis by Offensive Coordinator Ken Shipp.
Although Winner insisted that he was not bitter over his firing, some of his comments seemed to contradict that. “I was honestly surprised, even under the circumstances of our season, because I had complete confidence in doing a job,” he said. “I didn’t have to come here. I didn’t apply for the job. The Jets offered it to me, and I didn’t jump at it until I was assured by the ownership that I was their choice. I came here under the belief that I would be allowed to build the club...I am not bitter, I’m just disappointed.”
General Manager Al Ward would lead the search for Winner’s replacement. "I am looking for somebody with the ability to lead,” Ward commented. “I have a completely open mind. Kenny (Shipp) understands that this is purely on an interim basis. From a personnel standpoint, I don’t think we need rebuilding. I don’t know where Charley went wrong.”
He would ultimately look to the college game and hire NC State head football coach Lou Holtz to succeed Winner.
Winner had been hired in 1973 as an assistant coach under his father-in-law Weeb Ewbank. He took over as head coach under Weeb, who was GM, in 1974. It began a coaching carousel of bad coaches for the Jets. Holtz didn’t last the season before returning to college. Counting interim coaches, the Jets had 5 different head coaches between 1973 & 1976 before hiring Walt Michaels for the 1977 season.
Given the revolving door of coaches, it is no surprise that the Jets struggled in the mid 70s, going 3-11 for 3 straight seasons beginning in 1975 and failing to post a record above .500 for the entire decade.
Source: Sarasota Herald Tribune
The Jets had closed out the 1974 season on a high note, winning their last 6 games under rookie head coach Charley Winner to finish with 7-7 record. Hopes were high heading into the 1975 season, especially after the Jets beat Minnesota, Washington and St. Louis, all playoff teams from 74, in the 75 preseason. A playoff berth was expected in 1975.
The season started well enough. After an opening day loss to Buffalo, Winner’s Jets responded with consecutive wins, 30-24 in Kansas City and 36-7 at home against the Patriots. But then, the wheels came off. The Jets lost their next 6 games by an average of 20 points per game. Winner, a former defensive coordinator, watched his team give up an average of 36 points per game in the losing streak, as the Jets fell to last in the league in points allowed. It proved to be too much for Jets President Phil Iselin, who relieved Winner of his duties 3 days after a 52-19 loss to the Baltimore Colts.
"I know Charley Winner is a gentleman and that’s the basis we kept the discussion on.” Iselin would say in a statement to the press. “We made the decision on Monday and hoped we could get through the season but all the speculation and adverse criticism changed my mind. We simply decided that a move had to be made now.”
Winner was replaced on an interim basis by Offensive Coordinator Ken Shipp.
Although Winner insisted that he was not bitter over his firing, some of his comments seemed to contradict that. “I was honestly surprised, even under the circumstances of our season, because I had complete confidence in doing a job,” he said. “I didn’t have to come here. I didn’t apply for the job. The Jets offered it to me, and I didn’t jump at it until I was assured by the ownership that I was their choice. I came here under the belief that I would be allowed to build the club...I am not bitter, I’m just disappointed.”
General Manager Al Ward would lead the search for Winner’s replacement. "I am looking for somebody with the ability to lead,” Ward commented. “I have a completely open mind. Kenny (Shipp) understands that this is purely on an interim basis. From a personnel standpoint, I don’t think we need rebuilding. I don’t know where Charley went wrong.”
He would ultimately look to the college game and hire NC State head football coach Lou Holtz to succeed Winner.
Winner had been hired in 1973 as an assistant coach under his father-in-law Weeb Ewbank. He took over as head coach under Weeb, who was GM, in 1974. It began a coaching carousel of bad coaches for the Jets. Holtz didn’t last the season before returning to college. Counting interim coaches, the Jets had 5 different head coaches between 1973 & 1976 before hiring Walt Michaels for the 1977 season.
Given the revolving door of coaches, it is no surprise that the Jets struggled in the mid 70s, going 3-11 for 3 straight seasons beginning in 1975 and failing to post a record above .500 for the entire decade.
Source: Sarasota Herald Tribune
