NFL coaches, GMs sacked in firing frenzy

Head coach Norv Turner of the San Diego Chargers on the sidelines during a 24-21 win over the Oakland Raiders to end a 6-10 season at Qualcomm Stadium on December 30, 2012 in San Diego, California. The next day, the Chargers fired Turner and general manager A.J. Smith after missing the playoffs for the third straight season. Coming after a season of stunning losses and increasing fan anger, the firings complete a startling fall for a team that won the AFC West from 2006-09.

Head coach Andy Reid of the Philadelphia Eagles walks off the field after the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 30, 2012, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Reid's worst coaching season with the Eagles ended after 14 years when he was fired by owner Jeffrey Lurie, who said it was time "to move in a new direction." The dismissal came one day after Reid and the Eagles were humiliated 42-7 by the Giants and ended their season at 4-12.

Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith watches the action during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 30, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. The Bears fired Smith the following day after the team missed the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons. Smith led the Bears to a Super Bowl, but also saw his team collapse in the second half of the past two seasons.

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Head coach Ken Whisenhunt of the Arizona Cardinals reacts to the fans as he walks off the field after the NFL game agains the Miami Dolphins at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 30, 2012 in Glendale, Arizona. On Dec. 31, 2012, the Cardinals fired Whisenhunt after six seasons that included the long-suffering franchise's only Super Bowl appearance. The team also ousted general manager Rod Graves, who had been with the franchise for 16 years. He'd been general manager since 2007.

Kansas City Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel wipes his eyes before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. The Chiefs fired Crennel on Dec. 31, 2012, but made no move on embattled general manager Scott Pioli despite a 2-14 season marked by blowout losses, fan rebellion and a murder-suicide involving one of their players.

Head coach Chan Gailey (left) of the Buffalo Bills walks off the field after defeating the New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium on December 30, 2012 in Orchard Park, New York. Gailey was fired by the Bills on Dec. 31, 2012 after three losing seasons. The announcement was made a day after the Bills closed out another disappointing season with a 28-9 win over the New York Jets. Buffalo finished 6-10, and Gailey leaves with a 16-32 record.

Head coach Pat Shurmur of the Cleveland Browns looks on from the sideline during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 30, 2012 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. One day after ending yet another dismal season with a loss in Pittsburgh, Cleveland fired Shurmur and general manager Tom Heckert, the first moves in what is expected to be a massive offseason overhaul by new owner Jimmy Haslam. Shurmur went 9-23 in his two seasons with the Browns.

Head coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets talks with general manager Mike Tannenbaum at Jets Training Camp at SUNY Cortland on July 27, 2012 in Cortland, New York. Ryan will be back coaching the Jets next season, but he'll be working with a new general manager. The Jets fired Tannenbaum on Dec. 31, 2012, one day after the team finished off a dismal 6-10 season with a 28-9 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Jets owner Woody Johnson called the season a "disappointment to all of us."

General manager Gene Smith of the Jacksonville Jaguars watches play on May 1, 2009 at a team minicamp near Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars fired Smith on Dec. 31, 2012 after four disappointing seasons, including the worst year in franchise history.

Cleveland Browns General Manager Tom Heckert (left) and team owner Jimmy Haslam talk on the field prior to the preseason game between the Cleveland Browns and the Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns Stadium on August 30, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio. One day after ending yet another dismal season with a loss in Pittsburgh, Cleveland fired Heckert and coach Pat Shurmur, the first moves in what is expected to be a massive offseason overhaul by Haslam.

Head coach Mike Mularkey of the Jacksonville Jaguars on the sidelines against the Oakland Raiders during the first quarter at O.co Coliseum on October 21, 2012 in Oakland, California. The Jaguars fired Mularkey on Jan. 10, 2013 after just one season, the worst in franchise history.