McGinnis, Jauron, Williams Are Fired

Dave McGinnis, Dick Jauron and Gregg Williams learned Monday just how precarious NFL head coaching positions are.

All three were fired the day after disappointing seasons ended with losing records. McGinnis was released by the Arizona Cardinals after going 4-12. The Buffalo Bills let go of Williams after a 6-10 record, while the Chicago Bears dismissed Jauron, who was 7-9 this season.

The three firings Monday meant five head coaches are out of work: Dan Reeves was fired by Atlanta and Jim Fassel by the New York Giants during the season.

McGinnis, 16-32 in three full seasons in Arizona, went from the thrill of a last-second victory over Minnesota, preventing the Vikings from making the playoffs, to the anguish of being unemployed hours later. His entire staff was released as well.

“Dave McGinnis is an exemplary man, making today’s action all the more difficult,” owner Bill Bidwill said in a statement. “But we need to change. Our slide to 4-12 this season and the non-competitive nature of many of the losses was not acceptable.”

Jauron took the Bears to the next level in 2001, when they were 13-3 and won the NFC Central. But that was Chicago’s only winning record with Jauron, and the Bears lost in the first round of the playoffs to Philadelphia.

Otherwise, Jauron was 22-43, including the playoff defeat.

“Simply put, expectations weren’t met,” General Manager Jerry Angelo said. “ ... I just didn’t feel that the hope we need to move on to the next level was there.”

Williams’ Bills fell from an encouraging 8-8 last season to 6-10 this year and their offense often was inept. He was 17-31 in three seasons and finished his stint in Buffalo with a 31-0 loss at New England.

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