Listen to this article

An October surprise – but in the sports world. The New York Jets announced the firing of head coach Robert Saleh Oct. 8, just five games into the 2024 term.

The Florham Park-headquartered Jets started this season with sky-high expectations. The team boasted a talented roster stocked with young stars, as well as the return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers after an injury cost his him first season with Gang Green.

However, things are off to a turbulent start this season for the Jets. The team has a 2-3 record with back-to-back brutal losses where the offense struggled to take off. On Tuesday, reports and rumors began to swirl that Saleh – who was 20-36 as head coach since being hired in January 2021 – was on his way out.

The team confirmed the news with a statement from Chairman Woody Johnson.

“This morning, I informed Robert Saleh that he will no longer serve as the Head Coach of the Jets,” said Johnson. “I thanked him for his hard work these past three-and-a-half years and wished him and his family well moving forward. This was not an easy decision, but we are not where we should be given our expectations, and I believe now is the best time for us to move in a different direction.”

pic.twitter.com/ZJ16NOiqBg

— New York Jets (@nyjets) October 8, 2024

Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Under his watch, the defense has ranked among the top units in the league – and that trend has continued through the first five games of this season.

“He is a tough coach who has the respect of the coaches and players on this team,” said Johnson. “I believe he along with the coaches on this staff can get the most out of our talented team and attain the goals we established this offseason.”

The move marks the third in-season coaching change in franchise history – and the first during Johnson’s nearly quarter-century of ownership.

See also:

Rutgers University Athletic Director Pat Hobbs abruptly resigned from his post in August. Click here to read more.