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New York Jets coach Herman Edwards shook up his staff Tuesday by firing defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell and three assistants.
Edwards said the Jets needed to go a different direction after finishing 28th against the run and 21st in yards allowed this season, when the team finished 6-10.
Also dismissed were defensive backs coach Bill Bradley, defensive line coach Rubin Carter and defensive assistant David Merritt.
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``At this point, we need to go in a different direction,'' Edwards said. ``Defensively,
we needed to be a little better in some areas and we didn't show improvement.
There are some different things I want to try to do. It will get done.
``Ted did a great job trying to put players in position to make plays. After three years, you evaluate the whole process. It was my call. You never want to be in a situation like this.''
Edwards said there might be changes in the offensive coaching staff, as well. Those changes could come when the offensive coaches return from vacation on Jan. 12.
``There's things we have to do a whole lot better (on offense) and it will get done,'' the coach said.
Cottrell has been an NFL coach for 20 years, spending time with Kansas City, Buffalo, Arizona and the Jets. He came to New York in 2001 with Edwards as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. Bradley, Carter and Merritt were also in their third years with the Jets.
``They're good coaches and they'll be somewhere else in this league,'' Edwards said., ``You feel bad for all parties. It's tough. It's not a good day.''
Edwards said the Jets would
contact teams seeking permission to speak to coaching candidates and that interviews
would begin as soon as possible, perhaps this week.