What Is Black Monday in the NFL?
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Black Monday is the day after the final regular season game of the NFL (National Football League) when many head coaches are fired.
Black Monday in the NFL
Black Monday is the day after the NFL’s regular season ends. On this day, many NFL teams fire their head coaches. Why do they do this? Well, usually it’s because the team didn’t do well that season. Let’s take a closer look at Black Monday in the NFL.
What is Black Monday?
Black Monday is the day after the National Football League (NFL)’s regular season concludes, where numerous head coaches are fired. On this day, it is typical for five to eight head coaches to lose their jobs. Black Monday is usually the Monday following the final regular season game, but if the final game is on a Sunday night or Monday night, then Black Monday will be the next day.
Why is it called Black Monday?
Black Monday is the day after the final Sunday of the NFL’s regular season, which is also referred to as “Winning Sunday.” On this day, several NFL head coaches are typically fired, giving rise to the term “Black Monday.” The term was first used in print by sportswriter Jim Murray in 1976, and it has been used ever since.
Why are so many coaches fired on Black Monday? There are a few reasons. First, it allows teams to get a jump on hiring a new head coach before other teams can start making offers. Second, it allows teams to avoid paying severance to a coach who has been let go. And finally, it gives teams a chance to start fresh with a new coaching staff after a disappointing season.
So if you’re a fan of an NFL team that had a bad year, don’t be surprised if your team makes some changes on Black Monday.
What happens on Black Monday?
In the NFL, “Black Monday” refers to the day after the last game of the regular season, when many head coaches are fired. It’s also sometimes called “Bloody Sunday,” as it’s usually the day when front office personnel are also let go.
The origins of Black Monday are unclear, but it’s believed to be named after the stock market crash of 1987, which occurred on a Monday.
In recent years, Black Monday has become less eventful, as many teams have started to wait until after the season to make coaching changes. However, it’s still considered an important day in the NFL calendar.
The History of Black Monday
The NFL’s Black Monday is the day following the last game of the regular season, where coaches and general managers who have been fired are interviewed by the media. It’s a day where mousses are made, and careers are ruined.
The first Black Monday
In the National Football League (NFL), Black Monday refers to the day after the final game of the regular season, on which many head coaches are fired. The term was coined by former NFL executive Jerry Glanville, and has been used in the sports world ever since.
The first recorded instance of Black Monday occurring in the NFL was on December 26, 1960, when Hank Stram, head coach of the Dallas Texans (now the Kansas City Chiefs), was fired after a 1-15 season. Stram had led the Texans to a championship in their inaugural season just one year earlier.
Since then, Black Monday has become an annual event in the NFL, and sometimes even in other sports leagues. In recent years, it has fallen on December 31st or January 1st, but it can occur any day from December 26th to January 2nd.
In 2017, there were a total of six head coaching changes on Black Monday, the most since 2009. These included John Fox of the Chicago Bears, Chuck Pagano of the Indianapolis Colts, Vance Joseph of the Denver Broncos, Hue Jackson of the Cleveland Browns, Steve Wilks of the Arizona Cardinals, and Adam Gase of the Miami Dolphins.
The most recent Black Monday
On December 29, 2008, the final Sunday of the NFL regular season, there were four head coaching changes. Three of those teams – the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens – had been in playoff contention but lost must-win games to miss the postseason. The fourth team, the Atlanta Falcons, had gone into their game with a chance to clinch a playoff berth but were routed at home by the Arizona Cardinals.
All four losing teams fired their head coaches the next day – Monday, December 30 – earning that day the nickname “Black Monday” in NFL circles. It was the most coaching changes on one day in NFL history.
The Jets replaced Herman Edwards with Rex Ryan, who would lead them to back-to-back AFC Championship Games in his first two seasons. The Ravens hired John Harbaugh away from Stanford; he would win a Super Bowl in his fifth season. The Dolphins gave Tony Sparano his first NFL head coaching job; he would lead them to the playoffs in his first season. And the Falcons tabbed Mike Smith as their head coach; he would take them to NFC Championship Game in his second season.
The Future of Black Monday
Black Monday is the day after the NFL season where head coaches and general managers get fired. It usually happens on the Monday after the final game of the season. This year, there are a few teams that are on the hot seat. Let’s take a look at who might get fired and who might stay.
Will Black Monday continue?
Since the NFL instituted a salary cap in 1994, Black Monday has become an increasingly popular day for NFL teams to clean house and start anew with a fresh coaching staff. The term “Black Monday” was first coined by former Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula, who remarked on the somber mood of the locker room after a season-ending loss.
With the NFL’s ever-increasing popularity, and the immense amount of revenue generated by the league, it’s unlikely that Black Monday will go away anytime soon. In fact, it may become even more commonplace in the future as teams look to keep their costs down and avoid payingluxury taxes.
What could replace Black Monday?
The future of Black Monday is up in the air, as the NFL landscape continues to change. With more and more teams opting for head coaching changes during the season, the traditional Black Monday could become a thing of the past. Additionally, with new television contracts set to take effect in 2022, there could be even more changes to the NFL calendar that could impact when head coaching changes are made. For now, Black Monday remains an important day on the NFL calendar, but its future is far from certain.