New York (AFP) – The Buffalo Bills, out of NFL playoff contention for the 17th straight season, sacked head coach Rex Ryan on Tuesday.
The Bills said offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn will take over as interim coach for the final game of the season next weekend.
The Bills have lost six of their last nine games and take a record of 7-8 into their season finale against Ryan’s former team, the New York Jets, on Sunday.
A 34-31 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins on Saturday officially extended the longest active post-season drought in North American sports.
It is the fifth-longest playoff drought in NFL history.
“I spoke with Rex earlier today and we mutually agreed that the time to part ways is now,” owner Terry Pegula said in a statement. “These decisions are never easy. I want to take this opportunity to thank Rex for all his efforts and wish him all the best moving forward.”
Ryan posted a 15-16 mark in his two seasons as Buffalo’s coach.
He is the third coach to be fired this season, after the Los Angeles Rams parted ways with Jeff Fisher and the Jacksonville Jaguars sacked Gus Bradley.
Ryan’s twin brother, Rob Ryan, who was working as an assistant coach, was also dismissed, the team said.