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Jets owner says firing of Saleh will bring ‘new energy’ to one of franchise’s ‘most talented teams’

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(WS News) Woody Johnson sensed his struggling New York Jets needed a change — and now.

So the owner made the stunning decision Tuesday to fire coach Robert Saleh just five games into his fourth season after the team’s 2-3 start following a 23-17 loss to Minnesota in London on Sunday.

“This is one of the most talented teams that has ever been assembled by the New York Jets,” Johnson said during a conference call with reporters. “I wanted to give this team the most opportunity to win this season. I feel that we had to go in a different direction and that’s why I did that today.

“This change, the change that we made today — that I made — I believe will bring new energy and positivity that will lead to more wins, starting now.”

Saleh was 20-36 as coach of the Jets, who are trying to snap the NFL’s longest active playoff drought at 13 seasons. The move marks the first time in Johnson’s 25-year tenure that a head coach has been fired during the season.

Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will serve as interim coach for the rest of the season — with the Jets maintaining expectations to make the playoffs.

“He’s going to add a spark of positivity,” Johnson said of Ulbrich.

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