Phoenix Cardinals Fire Stallings After 5-6 Start

The Phoenix Cardinals fired Coach Gene Stallings on Monday and announced that running back coach Hank Kuhlmann would serve as interim head coach.

The team’s announcement came within hours after Stallings announced he would not seek contract renewal at the end of the season.

“Its best that we make a move and put this team back in perspective of what we are here to do, and that’s to win,” said Cardinals general manager Larry Wilson. “Last year we lost the last five games. I think we’re very are capable of winning the last five games.”

Wilson said he thought having Stallings around for the last five games would have been disruptive.

Stallings’ four-year contract will expire Feb. 1, and there had been speculation that he would be fired at the season’s end. The Cardinals said Stallings would be paid through the end of his contract.

“I just don’t think the team can survive with controversy and I don’t want to be part of that,” Stallings said. “It bothers (me) because I think it’s affecting the team.”

The Cardinals are 5-6 with five games left but have been decimated by injuries all season. Stallings’ career record in the NFL is 23-34-1.

“When players are injured, that’s part of the game. That’s no excuse for losing. I never tried to make it one,” Stallings said.

After leaving a meeting with his players, Stallings read a brief statement saying he would not seek to have his contract renewed but that he planned to serve as coach through the remaining five games if the Cardinals so desire.

“If the team is going to progress, this needs to be cleared up,” Stallings said. “I don’t think that with all the controversy we can progress right.”

Stallings said he made his decision Sunday night after the Cardinals returned from Sunday’s 37-14 loss to the Rams in Anaheim.

Stallings said he discussed his situation with Wilson Saturday night in Anaheim.

Asked by a reporter whether he thought he would have been fired, Stallings said, “Whether they were going to retain me or not, I have no idea.”

Asked whether he thought he should be rehired: “Sure. I thought I’d be back. I thought I did a good job and that’s what I’d be judged on.”