National Football League

Reports: Packers fire two offensive assistant coaches

Published Jan. 19, 2016 5:57 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Green Bay Packers went 10-6 in the regular season and made it to the Divisional round of the playoffs, but the success was not enough for Mike McCarthy's entire coaching staff to stay intact for another season.

McCarthy fired running backs coach Sam Gash and tight ends coach Jerry Fontenot on Tuesday.

Via Michael Cohen and Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel:

The #Packers have fired running backs coach Sam Gash. He was informed of the decision today.
— Michael Cohen (@Michael_Cohen13) January 19, 2016

#Packers have also fired TEs coach Jerry Fontenot, according to a pair of sources. He and Sam Gash are only changes so far.
— Tom Silverstein (@TomSilverstein) January 19, 2016

Gash's firing is likely a direct result of Eddie Lacy's disappointing season, because backup running back James Starks had a career year in 2015. Lacy rushed for 758 yards and three touchdowns, after accumulating more than 2,300 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground in his first two seasons. He played overweight and unprepared, which falls on the head of his position coach.

Fontenot was probably fired because his tight ends failed to fill a noticeable void in the passing game. Richard Rodgers was Green Bay's third leading pass-catcher with 58 catches for 510 yards an eight touchdowns. Without a true No. 1 receiver, however, the Packers needed even more out of Rodgers.

The Packers fielded the NFL's 23rd-ranked offense in 2015 (334.6 yards per game), even though they have a two-time league MVP in Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. McCarthy has sent a clear message that this is unacceptable by firing Gash and Fontenot after a relatively successful season.