Jack Del Rio Fired: Why This Move Should Have Happened Years Ago

It seems like Jack Del Rio was on the verge of being fired by the Jacksonville Jaguars for years. Well, it finally happened on Tuesday, as the Jags let their long-time head coach go after a 3-8 start. Frankly, this is a move that should have happened a long time ago. 

Del Rio was just the second coach in the franchise's history after taking over for Tom Coughlin in 2003. He posted a 68-71 record in his time in Jacksonville, but he last led the team to a winning record back in 2007 when they went 11-5. The Jaguars were also 1-2 in the playoffs under Del Rio.

Since the team went 5-11 in 2008, fans have been begging for the team to fire its head coach and they finally got their wish on Tuesday. 

When Del Rio took over in 2003, he immediately started a string of odd decisions concerning his quarterbacks. He benched Mark Brunell in favor of rookie Byron Leftwich that season then in 2007 insisted Leftwich was his starter, cutting him just before the season started to go with David Garrard. Then this year he did almost the exact same thing to Garrard, cutting him in favor of Luke McCown and eventually rookie Blaine Gabbert.

After the team finished 8-8 last season, Del Rio sat down with Jags owner Wayne Weaver to discuss his future and almost everyone was shocked when it was revealed that he would return as coach. Weaver made it clear that if Jacksonville wasn't in the playoffs this season that Del Rio would be gone. Clearly, the Jaguars aren't headed there.

It was clear to almost all observers around the league that Del Rio wasn't going to last in Jacksonville and change was needed. Weaver and the front office should have jettisoned him years ago or at least after last season. Allowing a guy who is on his last leg to remain in charge of your franchise is just a bad business decision. Players won't respond to someone if they think he'll be gone soon. 

While the Jaguars did the right thing removing Del Rio, it should have happened a long time ago.