New York Jets sack coach after dramatic choke against Raiders

Epic choke or ugly tank job, it doesn’t matter. Either way the NFL’s laughing stock swung the axe 24 hours after an embarrassing debacle.

Henry Ruggs scores at the death.

Epic choke or ugly tank job, it doesn’t matter. Either way the New York Jets staggering last second loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday (AEDT) has cost Jets assistant coach Gregg Williams his job.

Williams cost the Jets a shot at their first win of the season — and 24 hours later he is unemployed.

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The Jets fired the defensive co-ordinator the day after he called an all-out blitz with 12 seconds left and the team leading the Raiders by four points.

The play-call set up a 46-yard touchdown pass from Derek Carr to Henry Ruggs III that gave the Raiders an improbable 31-28 victory and sent the Jets to 0-12 for the season.

Williams, 62, has been the Jets defensive co-ordinator since last year when he joined the team along with head coach Adam Gase. The Jets rank 29th in total defence this year and 30th in scoring defence.

The Jets intend to name assistant head coach/linebackers coach Frank Bush the interim defensive coordinator.

Teammates congratulate Sam Darnold after the Jets scored against the Raiders.

It would have been hard to have Williams continue as the defensive coordinator after Sunday’s call. Defensive captain Marcus Maye publicly questioned the call after the game several times during a Zoom call with reporters.

Members of the organisation at all levels from the players to upper management were puzzled and frustrated by Williams’ decision, one that was seen as ego-driven.

According to ESPN, it was the first time in the last 15 years that a team has used six or more pass rushers to defend the final play of a game when leading by less than a touchdown score.

However, the decision follows widespread speculation the Jets deliberately choked at the death in a move that strengthens their hopes of landing the No. 1 draft pick at next year’s draft, where the team reportedly has eyes on Clemson star quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

THE JETS DO WHAT THEY DO BEST
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— Barstool Sportsbook (@BSSportsbook) December 6, 2020

Williams has coached in the NFL since 1988. He has had stints with the Oilers, Titans, Washington, Jaguars, Saints, Rams and Browns. He also served as the head coach of the Bills from 2001 to 2003.

He is a highly aggressive, often abrasive coach. Williams is best known for his role in the Saints’ “Bountygate” controversy. He was suspended for the 2012 season after the NFL found he had administered the bounty program and lied to investigators about it.

Williams joined the Jets last year when Gase was hired. Williams’ defence played well in 2019, finishing seventh in total defence.

Head coach Adam Gase of the New York Jets.

This year was a challenging one for Williams. The Jets traded safety Jamal Adams, the best player on his defence, in July. Linebacker C.J. Mosley opted out a week later. As the team’s losing streak mounted, the Jets traded nose tackle Steve McLendon and linebacker Avery Williamson, two of the team’s leaders.

Williams and Gase clashed earlier this season after Williams took a swipe at the offence during a session with reporters. Williams said his defensive scoring average was not all on the defence, a not-so-subtle dig at the offence.

The decision to call a zero blitz against the Raiders is being criticised as one of the worst calls people have ever seen and it was the last call Williams made for the Jets.

Originally published as New York Jets sack coach after dramatic choke against Raiders