Martz is let go by the 49ers

Mike Martz, the headstrong coach who took St. Louis to the 2002 Super Bowl, was fired Tuesday after one season as the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive coordinator.

San Francisco Coach Mike Singletary announced Martz’s third firing in less than three calendar years after an afternoon meeting with the veteran offensive mastermind.

This parting had long been expected, and it wasn’t nearly as acrimonious as Martz’s last two dismissals in St. Louis and Detroit. Singletary and Martz worked together fairly well for nine games after Singletary’s midseason promotion, but the two men clearly have different philosophies of offense.

“I am not what he is looking for offensively,” Martz said.

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Cowher won’t pursue Jets job

Bill Cowher is out of the running for the New York Jets’ vacant coaching job.

The team planned to sit down soon with the former Super Bowl-winning coach, and Cowher had expressed interest in the job, a person familiar with the search said earlier Tuesday. But the negotiations never advanced to scheduling a formal meeting.

“After reaching out to Coach Cowher’s representatives, we were informed tonight that he is not a candidate for the position,” Jets spokesman Bruce Speight said.

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Bills to keep Jauron as coach

Buffalo Bills Coach Dick Jauron will return next season after team owner Ralph Wilson decided a shake-up wasn’t necessary despite a third consecutive 7-9 season.

While acknowledging the dissatisfaction of many fans, Wilson said the “team played hard all year long and there are many positives to build on.”

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Browns set up Mangini interview

The Cleveland Browns have scheduled an interview with fired Jets coach Eric Mangini, a person with knowledge of the meeting said.

Mangini, dismissed Monday by the Jets, will meet with Browns owner Randy Lerner in the New York area.

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No major surgery for Jets’ Favre

Jets quarterback Brett Favre reportedly has a torn biceps tendon in his right arm that will not need major surgery to repair, ESPN reported.

Favre routinely underthrew receivers and appeared to lose some velocity on his throws late in the season as the Jets lost four of their last five games and missed the playoffs.

ESPN, citing unnamed sources, reported that Favre would need arthroscopic surgery to repair the injury, but could also play without having an operation.

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Texans fire three assistants

Dissatisfied with the slow development of a defense that features three first-round picks on the line and four first-rounders overall, Houston Texans Coach Gary Kubiak fired coordinator Richard Smith, secondary coach Jon Hoke and defensive line coach Jethro Franklin.

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Etc.

Veteran cornerback Sam Madison was put on injured reserve by the New York Giants, two days after breaking his right ankle against the Minnesota Vikings. . . . Quarterback Matt Ryan, who helped the Atlanta Falcons make the playoffs, was chosen the Associated Press offensive rookie of the year. . . . The NFL confirmed that next season’s Pro Bowl will be played in Miami’s Dolphin Stadium a week before the Super Bowl is played at the same venue.