Earlier today, Titans owner Bud Adams told Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean that senior executive V.P. and COO Mike Reinfeldt has been fired.
That was news to Mike Reinfeldt.
Per a league source, Reinfeldt was working -- and continued to work -- after news broke that he will be taking the fall for the performance of the team in 2012.
Reinfeldt has since been informed of his fate. He issued the following statement, via ESPN.com: “Although I am extremely disappointed in the decision, I thank Mr. Adams for the opportunity over the last six years. Having moved into this expanded role in February, I’m not only proud that we are on pace for a successful financial year, but confident that Ruston [Webster] and Mike [Munchak] have made significant strides on the football field and are a move or two away from taking the next step. I certainly understand and share in the frustration of Mr. Adams and all Titans fans, there are a great deal of good people here and patience is probably prudent at this point. I have supported this franchise as a player and executive and wish it nothing but success in the future.”
It still makes no sense for Reinfeldt to go and Webster and Munchak to stay, especially since (as Reinfeldt adroitly pointed out) his job in 2012 entailed portions of the business operations. One league source has suggested that Adams, who is now 90 years old, may not have realized or remembered that Reinfeldt no longer is the General Manager.
Regardless, Reinfeldt’s job was the only one lost in Nashville. Eventually.
