METAIRIE, La., May 9 (UPI) -- After conducting the NFL draft and making numerous offseason signings, Randy Mueller is out as general manager of the New Orleans Saints.
Saints owner Tom Benson announced on Thursday that Mueller has been released from his contract so "he can pursue another position that reflects his style of management."
Benson immediately assumed the position of general manager.
The timing of Mueller's departure is stunning since he has already shaped the 2002 team with major offseason moves. He traded leading rusher Ricky Williams to the Miami Dolphins for draft picks to pave the way for Deuce McAllister, shipped perennial Pro Bowl tackle William Roaf to the Kansas City Chiefs, signed numerous free agents and made the team's picks in the April draft.
Yet Benson waited until two months before the start of training camp to fire Mueller.
"This had to do with Randy's management style," Benson said at a news conference Thursday afternoon. "It had nothing to do with wins and losses, it had to do with style of management. I felt he needed to do a better job of communicating. He wanted to manage things in a different way than I wanted to manage."
Benson was not specific as to what communication problems may have existed between him and the former general manager.
Mueller took over as general manager for the Saints in January 2000, shortly after Benson fired coach Mike Ditka and general manager Bill Kuharich, and was named as executive of the year.
Mueller hired Jim Haslett as coach, who in the 2000 season led the Saints to a 10-6 record, the NFC West title and the franchise's first playoff win. But the Saints finished 7-9 last season, dropping their last four games.
