HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- The New York Jets fired Coach Joe Walton and his entire staff Tuesday, three days after the club finished with its worst record since 1980.
The moves were announced by Dick Steinberg, who left the New England Patriots to become the Jets' general manager Dec. 18.
Steinberg also said Mike Hickey resigned as director of player personnel, but director of pro player personnel Jim Royer would be retained as director of pro scouting.
'What we've done today is tell Joe Walton and his staff we're going to make a change,' Steinberg said at a news conference at the club's training facility. 'Obviously, it's a very, very unpleasant day for me. But the organization needs a fresh start.'
Steinberg said he had no target date for naming a new coach but would like to do it by the end of January. He said he expected to talk to no more than six candidates and the main qualification would be NFL experience.
Steinberg said the candidates were employed by other teams, so it may take a while before he can talk to them.
Candidates who have been mentioned include San Francisco 49ers assistant Mike Holmgren, Cincinnati Bengals assistant Bruce Coslet, and college head coaches John Mackovic of Illinois, George Perles of Michigan State and Howard Schnellenberger of Louisville.
The Jets finished 4-12 and last in the AFC East in 1989, bringing Walton's 7-year record to 53-57-1 in regular-season games. He was 1-2 in playoff appearances after the 1985 and 1986 seasons.
'The first day I signed the contract I knew eventually this day would come,' Walton said. 'Today was the day.'
Walton has two years remaining on the contract the Jets extended after the 1988 season. They will pay him a total of $800,000 for the two years.
'I wish the New York Jets, Dick Steinberg, and especially (team owner) Mr. Leon Hess all the best in the future,' Walton said. 'I had nine good years with the Jets. We had our ups and downs. I certainly enjoyed them all.'
Walton joined the Jets as offensive coordinator in 1981 and became head coach after Walt Michaels was fired after the 1982 season. Walton, 54, said he wished to remain in coaching.
'I want to start thinking about what's next,' Walton said. 'I'm not kicking the bucket, I'm just stepping down here. I want to stay in football, I've been in football a long time and I still enjoy football. I'm sorry it didn't work out. I didn't do a good job and I'm sure that's what it comes down to.'
Steinberg said he would allow his new head coach to hire his own assistants. He also said the scouting department would be restructured under Royer to concentrate more on keeping up with players around the league.
Steinberg will take over the draft procedure, which had been done by Hickey. The Jets pick second in the NFL draft behind Atlanta.
'All the X's and O's and football philosophies don't mean a thing,' Steinberg said of the search for a coach. 'We're looking for a guy who's a motivator and a teacher. NFL experience is really important from the standpoint of understanding the overall picture. We're not really interested in bringing in a coach and coaching him to coach.'
The moves were announced by Dick Steinberg, who left the New England Patriots to become the Jets' general manager Dec. 18.
Steinberg also said Mike Hickey resigned as director of player personnel, but director of pro player personnel Jim Royer would be retained as director of pro scouting.
'What we've done today is tell Joe Walton and his staff we're going to make a change,' Steinberg said at a news conference at the club's training facility. 'Obviously, it's a very, very unpleasant day for me. But the organization needs a fresh start.'
Steinberg said he had no target date for naming a new coach but would like to do it by the end of January. He said he expected to talk to no more than six candidates and the main qualification would be NFL experience.
The Jets finished 4-12 and last in the AFC East in 1989, bringing Walton's 7-year record to 53-57-1 in regular-season games. He was 1-2 in playoff appearances after the 1985 and 1986 seasons.
'The first day I signed the contract I knew eventually this day would come,' Walton said. 'Today was the day.'
Walton has two years remaining on the contract the Jets extended after the 1988 season. They will pay him a total of $800,000 for the two years.
'I wish the New York Jets, Dick Steinberg, and especially (team owner) Mr. Leon Hess all the best in the future,' Walton said. 'I had nine good years with the Jets. We had our ups and downs. I certainly enjoyed them all.'
Walton joined the Jets as offensive coordinator in 1981 and became head coach after Walt Michaels was fired after the 1982 season. Walton, 54, said he wished to remain in coaching.
'I want to start thinking about what's next,' Walton said. 'I'm not kicking the bucket, I'm just stepping down here. I want to stay in football, I've been in football a long time and I still enjoy football. I'm sorry it didn't work out. I didn't do a good job and I'm sure that's what it comes down to.'
Steinberg said he would allow his new head coach to hire his own assistants. He also said the scouting department would be restructured under Royer to concentrate more on keeping up with players around the league. Steinberg will take over the draft procedure, which had been done by Hickey.
'All the X's and O's and football philosophies don't mean a thing,' Steinberg said. 'We're looking for a guy who's a motivator and a teacher. NFL experience is really important from the standpoint of understanding the overall picture. We're not really interested in bringing in a coach and coaching him to coach.'
Steinberg said the coaching candidates were employed by other teams, so it may take a while before he can talk to them.
Candidates who have been mentioned include San Francisco 49ers assistant Mike Holmgren, Cincinnati Bengals assistant Bruce Coslet, and college head coaches John Mackovic of Illinois, George Perles of Michigan State and Howard Schnellenberger of Louisville.
