Jim Haslett fired...

[duckman]

According to FOXSports.com.

hxxp://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/5214670

[terpkristin]

Though I'm sure it's not the "MSN" we all think of, interesting that the URL starts with msn and then foxsports...

I have nothing to say about Haslett, I had to look at the article to see who he coached..

/tk

[Rizon]

Chris Berman: "Norv Turner, tick tick-tick, tick-tick, tick-tick!"

[albionmoonlight]

Haz was an OK coach, but not great.

You have to wonder, though, who the Saints can get to replace him. It's an NFL job, but the owner of the team has shown himself to be a little crazy. And any coach would have to move his family to New Orleans which, having just visited, I can say is still a great place to live, but which certainly has a reputation of being a wasteland since Katrina.

Personally, I think that Art Shell gets the job. The Saints seem to be half run by the NFL right now (hard to get details on that), and Shell has done a lot for the league behind the scenes the last few years. I think that they would like to reward him with a coaching job (and reward themselves with another minority hire).

Will be an interesting few years regardless.

[MizzouRah]

I'd actually take Haslett in St. Louis.

[finkenst]

Though I'm sure it's not the "MSN" we all think of, interesting that the URL starts with msn and then foxsports...

I have nothing to say about Haslett, I had to look at the article to see who he coached..

/tk
msn=microsoft network..

their online competitor to AOL.

I'm sure you were thinking of the other thing: MSNBC. :) which, btw, GE just took a larger stake in.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I haven't read the article, but I think Art Shell is as good a choice as anybody. He was very close to getting the job in 2000, but they hired Haslett instead. If Shell still wants to work for Benson, now would be a pretty good time for it. Honestly, I think Haslett deserved one more year, especially since they have the #2 pick in the draft. They will be able to play most or all of their home games at the Superdome next season. They'll have some consistency that was missing this year. I know the team was 3-13 this year, but Haslett really deserved one more shot.

I'm sure that Haslett will find a good job somewhere, so he'll be fine. I just feel sorry for whoever chooses to work for Tom Benson next.

[Axxon]

Didn't Haslett basically get himself fired by demanding an outrageous contract extension? I wouldn't worry about him. He got exactly what he wants.

[Deattribution]

According to the ESPN article, Haslett didn't want to coach the Saints another year, so 'fired' isn't exactly as clear as it sounds.

After weeks of requesting that he be freed from his contract, a frustrated Haslett finally was dismissed by the Saints on Monday. The two sides essentially reached a mutual agreement that Haslett would not return for 2006, the final year of his contract.

[MizzouRah]

Wow, in his press conference you wouldn't have noticed he didn't want to coach there again, but it's not like he would say that I guess.

[Axxon]

From hxxp://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm.


HAZ GETS HIS WISH



The number of head coaching vacancies is now at seven, and we're not even 24 hours into the offseason for the 20 non-playoff teams.



Jay Glazer reports that the Saints have fired coach Jim Haslett.



It's actually good news for Haslett, who privately wanted out of a bad situation with the Saints and who feared that he'd be forced to finish out the final year of his contract, in 2006. He was willing to stay with the Saints only if owner Tom Benson demonstrated a commitment to winning, which would have required a long-term extension for Haslett and his staff, among other things.



Since Benson wouldn't do it, Haslett asked to be fired, we're told.



So Benson has opted to accept potential responsibility for Haslett's 2006 coaching salary. But Benson's exposure will be reduced by any money that Haslett earns as a head coach elsewhere, and given the number of openings it's a virtual certainty that Haz will hear the words, "You're hired" before too long.



If the Bills dump coach Mike Mularkey, Haslett will go to the top of the list, especially among the fan base. He also has been mentioned for openings in Houston and St. Louis. Glazer reports that Haslett will be a candidate with the Jets, if coach Herm Edwards makes tracks to K.C.

[Hurst2112]

Those Cowher coordinators never really step up to the next level do they.

Tim Lewis, you may be on the clock.