What Is Black Monday In The NFL?
Black Monday is the day after the NFL regular season ends, and it’s usually when a lot of head coaches are fired. This year, there were eight head coaching changes, the most since 2013.
Black Monday in the NFL
Black Monday is the name given to the day after the last game of the NFL’s regular season. It is so named because it is the day when many NFL head coaches are fired. This year, Black Monday falls on January 4, 2021.
What is Black Monday?
Black Monday is the day after the NFL season ends, where head coaches and general managers are fired. It got its name from the fact that so many people were fired on that day, and it was referred to as a “bloodbath”.
This day usually falls on the Monday following the last game of the regular season. So, for example, if the Super Bowl is on Sunday, February 7th, then Black Monday would be on Monday, February 8th.
Black Monday is also sometimes referred to as “Coaching Changes Day”, because that is what it really is. It’s the day when teams make changes to their coaching staffs, usually by firing the head coach and/or the general manager.
Sometimes these changes are made before Black Monday, but they are usually made on that day or in the days following it.
When is Black Monday?
Black Monday is the day after the NFL season ends, when coaching staffs across the league are either fired or resign. It’s typically one of the busiest days of the offseason, as teams start to prepare for the following season.
The term “Black Monday” was first used by NFL insider Jay Glazer in 2002, and it has since become a popular way to describe the day.
While many coaching changes are made on Black Monday, some teams elect to wait until later in the offseason to make their decisions. For example, the San Francisco 49ers fired head coach Chip Kelly on January 1, 2017, nearly two weeks after Black Monday.
Black Monday typically falls on the first Monday in January, but it can also happen in February if that’s when the NFL season ends.
So why is it called “Black Monday”? There are a few theories:
One theory is that it’s because so many coaches are fired on that day, and their careers go dark.
Another theory is that it’s because of all the news coverage of firings and resignations on that day. All the major news networks cover Black Friday sales, so they might as well cover Black Monday firings too.
Whatever the reason, Black Monday is sure to be a busy day in the NFL offseason once again this year.
What happens on Black Monday?
Black Monday is the name given to the day after the National Football League’s (NFL) regular season ends. It is commonly known as the day when NFL head coaches are fired. The term was first used in 1985, when five NFL head coaches were fired on the same day.
The firing of a head coach is usually done by the team’s owner or general manager. In some cases, a coach may be asked to resign by these people. Some coaches are even given the opportunity to “coach out their contract,” meaning they are allowed to finish coaching the team for the remainder of their contract even though they will not be returning next season.
There are a few reasons why a team might choose to fire its head coach. One reason could be if the team has had a losing season and the owner or general manager feel that a change is needed in order to turn things around. Another reason could be if there is a new owner or general manager who wants to bring in their own coaching staff. Finally, a coach may be fired if there has been some sort of off-field scandal involving the team (such as players getting into legal trouble).
The end of a head coach’s tenure with a team can be messy and sometimes even ugly. Often times, there will be media reports about arguments between the coach and front office personnel or players. In some cases, coaches have been known to clean out their entire office before leaving (taking all of their belongings with them).
The death of former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy brought much attention to Black Monday in 2006. Just days after leading his team to victory in Superbowl XLI, Dungy announced his retirement from coaching. This was widely seen as his way of avoiding being fired on Black Monday.
The History of Black Monday
Every year on the Monday after the final Sunday of the NFL regular season, coaches and front office personnel around the league are fired. This day has become known as Black Monday. While it may seem like a cold-blooded business, there is a method to the madness. Let’s take a look at the history of Black Monday.
The origins of Black Monday
Black Monday is the name given to the day on which a number of head coaches are fired. The term was coined by sports columnist Robin Herman in her January 4, 1993, column for the Washington Post. Herman wrote: “The day after Thanksgiving is known as ‘Black Friday’ in the business world—the day when retailers begin turning a profit for the year. In the NFL, it has come to be known as ‘Black Monday,’ the day when unsuccessful coaches are fired.”
The first recorded instance of multiple coaching firings on Black Monday occurred on December 29, 1986. Ten NFL head coaches were fired that day, including Tom Landry of the Dallas Cowboys, who had been with the team for 29 years. Since then, there have been several other notable Black Mondays, including:
-In 2002, three head coaches were fired on Black Monday: Dick Jauron of the Chicago Bears, Dave Wannstedt of the Miami Dolphins, and Gary Moeller of the Detroit Lions.
-In 2008, six head coaches were fired: Scott Linehan of the St. Louis Rams, Lane Kiffin of the Oakland Raiders, Herman Edwards of the Kansas City Chiefs, Mike Shanahan of the Denver Broncos, Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts, and John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens.
-In 2009, five head coaches were fired: Jim Zorn of the Washington Redskins, Jim Haslett of the St. Louis Rams, Josh McDaniels of the Denver Broncos,, Raheem Morris of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,, and Tom Cable of th Oakland Raiders
The first Black Monday
The first Black Monday occurred on October 19, 1987. It was the day of the stock market crash known as the Crash of 1987. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) fell by 22.6%, making it the largest one-day percentage drop instock market history. More than $500 billion was wiped off the value of global stocks, with markets in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia all affected.
Black Monday was caused by a number of factors, including a gradual build-up of excesses in the global economy, tight monetary policy from the US Federal Reserve, and overvaluation of stocks. These conditions created a perfect storm that led to the panic selling that drove stock prices down.
While the Crash of 1987 was devastating for many investors, it also marked the beginning of a bull market that lasted for more than two decades. The DJIA recovered its losses within two years and went on to reach new highs in 1989.
Black Monday in recent years
Since the 1990s, Black Monday has seen dozens of NFL head coaches fired on the same day. In most cases, these firings occurred after the final game of the regular season. Black Monday is often referred to as the “coaching purge” because so many coaches are let go at once.
In 2000, a record eight head coaches were fired on Black Monday. That number dipped to three in 2001, but rose to seven in 2002. In 2003, five head coaches were fired, but that number jumped back up to eight in 2004. In 2005, the number of Black Monday firings dropped back down to five.
The most recent spate of Black Monday firings occurred in 2008, when a whopping 11 head coaches were let go. This mass firing came on the heels of one of the worst seasons in NFL history, as several teams finished with losing records and failed to make the playoffs.
In recent years, the number of Black Monday firings has declined sharply. In 2009, only two head coaches were fired on Black Monday. The following year saw no firings at all, and just one coach was let go on Black Monday in 2011.
It’s unclear why the trend has shifted in recent years. One theory is that more NFL teams have begun to use “Black Tuesday” as their day for making coaching changes. Another possibility is that teams are simply waiting longer to pull the trigger on firing their coach, opting instead to give him or her a few extra weeks or even an entire season to turn things around.
The Impact of Black Monday
Every year, on the Monday after the final week of the NFL regular season, a number of NFL head coaches are relieved of their duties. This has come to be known as “Black Monday.” While it is not an official holiday, it has become a significant day in the NFL calendar. Let’s take a look at the impact of Black Monday.
How Black Monday affects NFL teams
Black Monday is the day after the NFL’s regular season ends, when teams can begin firing their head coaches. The term was coined in 1985 after six NFL coaches were fired on the same day.
The date has become synonymous with coaching changes in the NFL, and it usually happens to a few teams every year. In recent years, Black Monday has fallen on either December 30 or 31.
Black Monday can have a big impact on NFL teams, both in the short and long term. In the short term, it can cause a lot of uncertainty for players and staff members who don’t know if they’ll be back with the team next season. It can also lead to a lot of turnover in the coaching staff, which can be disruptive to a team’s preparations for the following season.
In the long term, Black Monday can have an impact on a team’s culture and identity. A new head coach will often bring in his own staff and install his own system, which can take time for players and fans to get used to.
How Black Monday affects NFL players
In the NFL, “Black Monday” refers to the day after the last game of the regular season, when head coaches of teams that have failed to make the playoffs are typically fired.
For players, Black Monday can mean different things. Some will be cut from their team’s roster, while others will be traded to another team. Some players may choose to retire on Black Monday.
Players who are still under contract will often use Black Monday as a day to regroup and assess their options for the future. They may also use it as an opportunity to renegotiate their contracts with their current team or explore free agency options with other teams.
Whatever Black Monday means for individual NFL players, it is sure to be a day of uncertainty and change.
How Black Monday affects NFL fans
On the last Monday of the NFL regular season, coaches and front office personnel around the league are “let go” in what has come to be known as “Black Monday.” For fans of teams that have had a disappointing season, Black Monday can be a time of anticipation and excitement. Will my team get a new head coach? Will they finally get rid of that underperforming general manager?
But for other fans, Black Monday is a time of sadness and anxiety. Your favorite team may have just lost their head coach or GM, and you don’t know what the future holds. Will the new regime be able to turn things around? Or will they make things worse?
If you’re a fan of a team that’s going through some changes on Black Monday, here are some things to keep in mind:
1) Don’t panic – it’s just one day, and things could always be worse. Maybe your team didn’t make the playoffs this year, but at least they still have a coach/GM. Remember, there are 31 other teams in the NFL, and some of them are going to be in much worse shape than your team on Black Monday.
2) Be patient – it takes time to build a winning franchise. If your team has just hired a new head coach or GM, they’re going to need some time to put their stamp on the franchise. It might take a few years for them to make all the changes they want to make, so don’t expect miracles overnight.
3) Stay positive – even if your team has had a rough year, there is always next season. And who knows? Maybe this is the year that your team finally turns things around and wins the Super Bowl!
