A day after firing coach Todd Bowles, Jets CEO Christopher Johnson took some blame of his own for the team’s dismal state.
“The buck stops with me,” Johnson said. “I have to do a better job of getting this organization to a place where we can consistently win, and I will do that.”
That begins with the search for Bowles’ replacement, which began Monday. According to sources, the Jets already have requested permission to speak with Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Cowboys defensive backs coach/passing game coordinator Kris Richard and Buccaneers offensive coordinator Todd Monken. They also requested an interview with Iowa State coach Matt Campbell, but he turned them down, according to NFL Network.
Johnson met with reporters Monday afternoon after firing Bowles on Sunday night and deciding to retain general manager Mike Maccagnan following the conclusion of a 4-12 season, their third straight losing year and eighth consecutive season without a playoff appearance.
“When I spoke at the beginning of the season, I said I would carefully assess the team’s progress,” Johnson said in a prepared statement. “I’ve concluded we have not made enough progress this season. I’ve been evaluating the situation for some time and came to the decision that change was needed.”
The decision to fire Bowles, who went 24-40 in four seasons, was not a surprise. Johnson’s decision to keep Maccagnan is an unpopular one with many fans, who point to his draft record and misses in free agency as evidence that he should have been fired, too.
“I’ve worked with Mike now for a while. We’ve developed what I think is a good plan,” Johnson said. “It’s a plan we’re in sync on. It really came together with Sam (Darnold), and now we’re going to be able to build with Sam, build around Sam with some great players we have on this team already. I think it’s a good plan. I’m looking forward to working with Mike to take us to the next level.”
Johnson did not get too specific in his reasons for firing Bowles but said the team should have been better than 4-12, an indictment of the ousted coach.
“I think we had some pretty good talent on this team already,” Johnson said. “We should have done better in the win-loss column.”
The strongest argument in Maccagnan’s favor is that last year, he drafted Darnold, who appears to be the franchise quarterback the Jets have been searching for since Joe Namath left town. Johnson spoke highly of Darnold and pointed to him as a reason this job will be attractive, but he said that is not the only reason he believes in Maccagnan.
“It’s not all about Sam,” Johnson said. “I think Mike is a good talent evaluator, period.”
Maccagnan will now work closely with Johnson to select the new coach. Johnson said the final decision is his, but he clearly will not choose a candidate Maccagnan does not endorse. Jets vice president of player personnel Brian Heimerdinger will also be involved in the search.
As for Woody Johnson, who is currently serving as U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom, Christopher Johnson said he will keep his brother in the loop but the decision will be his and not Woody’s.
Maccagnan outlined what he is looking for in a coach.
“It’s going to be leadership, vision, the ability to communicate,” Maccagnan said. “There’s a lot of qualities I think we’re trying to find to make sure we have the right character-type guy for it. As we go through this process, I don’t think we’re going to pencil ourselves into one side or the other side of the ball. We’ll keep all options open.”
The coach and general manager will both be equals and report to Johnson, as was the case with Bowles and Maccagnan. Johnson said the Jets will not consider a coach who wants total control.
“I think that that would be the wrong person for the job, and it’s off the table,” Johnson said.
Johnson said previous head-coaching experience is not a must but would not hurt. He also said they are open to hiring a college coach. A plan for developing Darnold is a must.
As of Monday, there were eight head-coaching openings in the NFL, creating a competitive situation. Johnson said he views the Jets as a “good landing spot” with Darnold in place, $100 million in cap space and the No. 3-overall pick in the draft.
He also said New York is a selling point.
“If you make it here, you’re a freaking legend,” Johnson said. “That counts for something.”
Get to know the first three candidates the Jets are looking at to fill their head-coaching vacancy:
Next in line
Eric Bieniemy
Age: 49
Hometown: New Orleans
Current position: Chiefs OC
Background: This is his first season as offensive coordinator, but he has been with the Chiefs since 2013, serving as the running backs coach. A standout running back at the University of Colorado, he played in the NFL for nine years before getting into coaching.
Todd Monken
Age: 52
Hometown: Wheaton, Ill.
Current position: Buccaneers OC
Background: He has been the offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay since 2016. He has previous head-coaching experience but not at the NFL level. He went 13-26 in three seasons as the head coach at Southern Mississippi.
Kris Richard
Age: 39
Hometown: Carson, Calif.
Current position: Cowboys passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach
Background: Joined the Cowboys this year after serving as the Seahawks defensive coordinator for three seasons. As the Seattle defensive backs coach from 2012-14, he was instrumental in developing the Legion of Boom secondary. Had a six-year NFL career as a cornerback.