Jets fire GM Mike Tannenbaum, will keep coach Rex Ryan

The Jets announced the firing of general manager Mike Tannenbaum and the return of head coach Rex Ryan on Monday morning.

Tannenbaum has been rumored to be on the way out since last year’s disappointing 8-8 finish and throughout the team’s 6-10 showing in 2012. Several of his personnel moves, including the high-profile trade for quarterback Tim Tebow, and contracts to Mark Sanchez and Santonio Holmes, have been widely criticized.

The Jets hired Tannenbaum as director of player contract negotiations in 1997. He was promoted to general manager in 2006. The Jets have qualified for the playoffs in just three of his seven seasons as general manager, appearing in the 2006 wild card game, and 2009 and 2010 AFC Championship Games.

"Mike devoted 15 years of service to the Jets, and I want to thank him for his hard work and dedication," owner Woody Johnson said in a statement. "Although he helped guide us to two consecutive AFC Championship games, we are not where we want to be, and a new general manager will be critical to getting this team back on the right track."

After a promising start, Ryan is now 38-32 in four seasons as the Jets head coach, including 14-18 in the last two seasons.

"I believe that he has the passion, the talent, and the drive to successfully lead our team," Johnson said.