Post by Lithfan on Jan 7, 2016 7:34:47 GMT -5
January 7, 1994
Bruce Coslet’s 4-year reign as Jets head coach came to an end on this date as the Jets fired Coslet and replaced him with defensive coordinator, Pete Carroll. Coslet had also doubled as the team’s offensive coordinator.
In his four years as head coach, Coslet’s team never had a winning record. The best they could manage was two 8-8 seasons, although in 1991, Coslet’s 2nd year, 8-8 was good for a wild card playoff berth. The Jets lost to Houston 17-10 in the wild card game.
The 1993 season started with promise. The Jets carried an 8-5 record into the last 3 weeks, winning 6 of 7 games and they appeared to be headed to the playoffs under Boomer Esiason. However, a brutal schedule over the last 3 games was too much as they fell to 3 12 win teams, Dallas, Buffalo and Houston, to finish the season 8-8 and on the outside looking in come playoff time. The Jets managed to score just 36 points over their last 6 games of 1993.
“This is a chance of a lifetime,” said Carroll. “Unfortunately it comes on the heels of a good friend's firing, that why my feelings are mixed.”
When asked if he planned to follow in Coslet’s footsteps and double as Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, Carroll replied, “I don’t see me in that role, it’s not the format. That was the problem with Bruce.”
Carroll would only coach the Jets for one season, bringing an unconventional style to the role. He believed in a team that worked hard and played hard, and often planned impromptu team events to break the monotony of a long football season: Bowling outings, team picnics, free throw shooting contests, soccer games, etc.
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Esiason would recall his one year playing for Carroll. "If Bill Parcells and Bill Belidick are black coffee, Pete is spiced latte," said Esiason, comparing their coaching styles.
"Playing for Pete was -- I don't want to say a walk in the park -- but he made it fun," former defensive end Jeff Lageman said. "We understood that it's a bottom-line business, but you were able to come to work, have fun and enjoy the game in its original form."
His one season started well. He had the Jets at 6-5 and competing for the AFC East Division title heading into a key showdown with Miami. The Jets had a 24-6 3rd quarter lead against the Dolphins and seemed to be headed towards a first place tie with Miami. Until Dan Marino led a comeback that led to the fake spike. The Jets lost to Miami and went on to lose their last 4 games, which was all Leon Hess needed to see, firing Carroll after the season and replacing him with Rich Kotite.
"Why the hell did we fire him?" Esiason asked years later. "I've talked to Pete over the years and I still haven't gotten a good answer. It's frustrating as hell."
Source: The Free Lance Star and ESPN
Bruce Coslet’s 4-year reign as Jets head coach came to an end on this date as the Jets fired Coslet and replaced him with defensive coordinator, Pete Carroll. Coslet had also doubled as the team’s offensive coordinator.
In his four years as head coach, Coslet’s team never had a winning record. The best they could manage was two 8-8 seasons, although in 1991, Coslet’s 2nd year, 8-8 was good for a wild card playoff berth. The Jets lost to Houston 17-10 in the wild card game.
The 1993 season started with promise. The Jets carried an 8-5 record into the last 3 weeks, winning 6 of 7 games and they appeared to be headed to the playoffs under Boomer Esiason. However, a brutal schedule over the last 3 games was too much as they fell to 3 12 win teams, Dallas, Buffalo and Houston, to finish the season 8-8 and on the outside looking in come playoff time. The Jets managed to score just 36 points over their last 6 games of 1993.
“This is a chance of a lifetime,” said Carroll. “Unfortunately it comes on the heels of a good friend's firing, that why my feelings are mixed.”
When asked if he planned to follow in Coslet’s footsteps and double as Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, Carroll replied, “I don’t see me in that role, it’s not the format. That was the problem with Bruce.”
Carroll would only coach the Jets for one season, bringing an unconventional style to the role. He believed in a team that worked hard and played hard, and often planned impromptu team events to break the monotony of a long football season: Bowling outings, team picnics, free throw shooting contests, soccer games, etc.
Esiason would recall his one year playing for Carroll. "If Bill Parcells and Bill Belidick are black coffee, Pete is spiced latte," said Esiason, comparing their coaching styles.
"Playing for Pete was -- I don't want to say a walk in the park -- but he made it fun," former defensive end Jeff Lageman said. "We understood that it's a bottom-line business, but you were able to come to work, have fun and enjoy the game in its original form."
His one season started well. He had the Jets at 6-5 and competing for the AFC East Division title heading into a key showdown with Miami. The Jets had a 24-6 3rd quarter lead against the Dolphins and seemed to be headed towards a first place tie with Miami. Until Dan Marino led a comeback that led to the fake spike. The Jets lost to Miami and went on to lose their last 4 games, which was all Leon Hess needed to see, firing Carroll after the season and replacing him with Rich Kotite.
"Why the hell did we fire him?" Esiason asked years later. "I've talked to Pete over the years and I still haven't gotten a good answer. It's frustrating as hell."
Source: The Free Lance Star and ESPN
