Jets’ Kotite Cites Dismal Record, Dismisses Himself

Rich Kotite went out as the New York Jets’ coach Friday in a manner that was as confusing as the team’s play during his two years as head man he fired himself.

“I was not fired, I am not quitting,” Kotite, 4-27 as the team’s coach, said in announcing that he was stepping down after Sunday’s game against Miami.

The move came after a meeting Thursday with Leon Hess, the team’s owner, and Steve Gutman, its president.

But it was called by Kotite, who didn’t want to drag out the inevitable into Christmas week. And it was Kotite as the de facto general manager who made the decision that a change was necessary.

“When you’re 3-13 and 1-14, that just doesn’t cut it,” Kotite said.

“We’ve been everything but respectable. A change has to be made. I hold myself accountable. … It hasn’t worked.”

No one, not even Brad Johnson, could have imagined on Aug. 23 that his career would reach this point four months later.

Johnson had thrown four interceptions in an exhibition game against the New Orleans Saints that night, perhaps the lowest point of an unremarkable career that had seen few pinnacles.

Johnson reached an all-time high Friday, agreeing to a $15.5 million, four-year contract extension with the Minnesota Vikings that makes him one of the top dozen players on the NFL’s salary list.

Running back Erric Pegram limped off the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice field with a calf muscle injury that ended his season.

There was no contact and Pegram was at a loss to explain how his right calf either tore or was strained. He was placed on injured reserve, and running back Terry Richardson was promoted from the practice squad.