Munchak, only the franchise's second coach since leaving Houston in 1997, was fired Saturday afternoon.

"The last week has been a difficult time trying to navigate through many issues to find the best resolution for this franchise moving forward," general manager Ruston Webster said in a statement. "Tough choices were presented to all sides and the end result was to part ways and move forward without Mike."

Munchak was promoted from offensive line coach to the head job to replace Jeff Fisher in 2011. But since then, he has failed to get the team to the playoffs. His 22-26 record is even more disheartening when considering that he was only 2-20 against teams that finished the year with winning records. ESPN.com first reported the news of Munchak's dismissal.

The low point this year might have been a loss to then-winless Jacksonville Jaguars. Things were made more difficult when starting quarterback Jake Locker sustained a hip injury and sprained knee, and after returning in Week 10 against the Jags, was lost for the year with a foot injury.

The Titans had committed $100 million in free agent salaries.

Munchak had one year left on his contract. He has been named among those Penn State is interested in to replace Bill O'Brien, who was hired this week by the Houston Texans.


TEXANS FIRE COORDINATORS


New Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien isn’t waiting around to make changes to his staff.

On Saturday, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, who served as the team’s interim coach for the final three games of the season, and offensive coordinator Rick Dennison were fired after meeting with O’Brien.

Phillips thanked the organization afterward, tweeting, "Thanks to McNair family and great Texan fans and most all our players. It was wonderful being home. I wish the best to all". 

According to the Houston Chronicle, O'Brien is considering Romeo Crennel as a replacement for Phillips. Crennel was defensive coordinator in Cleveland, New England and Kansas City, as well as head coach with the Browns and Chiefs.

Dennison had been the team's offensive coordinator since the 2010 season; Phillips had been with the team since 2011.


BUCS HIRE TEDFORD


Former California coach Jeff Tedford has been hired as offensive coordinator for the Buccaneers.

New Bucs coach Lovie Smith made the announcement Saturday, saying Tedford has a "successful and proven track record as a teacher and developer of young talent."

Tedford led Cal from 2002-12. During his long coaching career, Tedford has worked with six quarterbacks eventually selected in the first round of the NFL draft, including Aaron Rodgers.


ICE BOWL MEMORIES


With the temperature at kickoff expected to be about minus-5 degrees in Green Bay, Sunday’s Packers-49ers playoff game is naturally drawing comparisons to the Ice Bowl. The Packers are even handing out 70,000 hand warmers to fans before the game

But let’s hope the ending to this year’s game can also be as memorable.

In the 1967 NFC championship game, with the game-time temperature at an NFL record minus-13, the Packers beat the Cowboys 21-17 on Bart Starr’s quarterback sneak across the goal line on third down with 16 seconds left.

The Packers were out of timeouts, so why didn’t coach Vince Lombardi go for the chip-shot tying field goal? His explanation, from the Jan. 13, 1968 issue of Sporting News:

“We gambled, we won — it was as simple as that. Everyone loves a gambler, but not when he loses. You want to know the real reason we went for the touchdown instead of the field goal? Because I didn’t want all those freezing people up in the stands to have to sit through a sudden death overtime. I’ve been accused of lacking compassion, but that just goes to show I’m not without it.”


NO CHARGES AFTER STABBING


Prosecutors have declined to file charges against a man who was arrested for allegedly stabbing three people in a parking lot at the Denver Broncos' stadium after a game.

Lynn Kimbrough, a spokeswoman for the District Attorney's Office, told The Denver Post that prosecutors did not think they could win a conviction because no one could positively identify a suspect. The knife was never found.

Police arrested 29-year-old Justin Lee Manzanares after the Dec. 12 fight over a near fender-bender. Two others were taken into custody but were released.

Mathew DeHerrera, who was one of the three people stabbed, called it a "horrible decision" not to prosecute Manzanares. DeHerrera says he couldn't identify the man in a photo lineup because he was on medications shortly after surgery.

None of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries.

Contributors: Rana Cash, Benson Taylor, The Associated Press

VIDEOS: Why Munchak was fired

‘A Football Life’: Vince Lombardi — The Ice Bowl