Jets Jettison Coach Walton, Staff

The expected shake-up of the New York Jets began today with the firing of Coach Joe Walton and his staff.

The dismissal ended weeks of speculation, which intensified last week with the hiring of Dick Steinberg as general manager. Steinberg--the Jets’ first GM in 12 years--met with Walton early this morning and made the announcement at an afternoon press conference.

“Basically, what we’ve done is to tell Joe Walton and his staff that we’re going to make a change,” Steinberg said. “In addition, Mike Hickey, (director of player personnel) has tendered his resignation, and Jim Royer, pro personnel director, has been retained.

“All of the scouts will be retained. I guess that’s enough damage for one day.”

Walton, who was at the news conference, said: “The only statement I have to make is to wish the New Yorks Jets, Dick Steinberg and especially Mr. Leon Hess (team owner) all the best in the future.”

Walton, contracted through the 1991 season to earn $800,000, compiled a 54-59-1 record, including playoff games, in seven seasons. The Jets finished 4-12 this season and were shut out in two of their last three games.

There had been rumblings that Walton would be fired since 1986, when the Jets lost five straight games to close the season after a 10-1 start. After beating Kansas City in the AFC Wild Card game, the Jets lost the next week at Cleveland in double overtime.

Walton became a target of the fans’ ire when the Jets folded in the 1987 strike season, finishing 6-9. But in 1988, despite playing five rookies--including four on defense--the Jets finished a surprising 8-7-1, and Walton was rewarded with a two-year contract extension.

The Jets regressed this season, and two weeks ago Walton blamed “key veterans who for one reason or another, didn’t produce,” for the collapse.

Those reasons included injuries to Ken O’Brien, Wesley Walker, Al Toon, Freeman McNeil and Mickey Shuler, and holdouts by Toon, Walker, Johnny Hector and Reggie McElroy.

It became obvious that Walton would be fired when Steinberg was hired and promised changes. Last Saturday, Steinberg spoke with former San Francisco Coach Bill Walsh about a return to coaching.

Walsh isn’t interested, but recommended his former offensive coordinator Mike Holmgren and Cincinnati offensive coordinator Bruce Coslet.

“He talked in detail about the strengths of those two guys,” Steinberg said. “Those two guys will go right on our list because I respect Bill’s opinion.”

Also rumored to be in the running are Louisville’s Howard Schnellenberger, Illinois’ John Mackovic (who also coached the 1986 Chiefs), USC’s Larry Smith, Michigan State’s George Perles and Gene Stallings, fired by the Phoenix Cardinals earlier this season.

Also fired were offensive coordinator Rich Kotite, defensive coordinator Ralph Hawkins, and assistants Zeke Bratkowski, Ray Callahan, Wally Chambers, Mike Faulkiner, Bobby Hammond, Rod Humenuik, Larry Pasquale and Jim Vechiarella.