The Todd Bowles era with the Jets is over.
In a move that had been expected since the Jets' tailspin began in November, Bowles has been fired, the team announced Sunday night.
"I would like to thank Coach Bowles for his dedication to the New York Jets for the last four years," CEO Christopher Johnson said in a statement. "After carefully evaluating the situation, I have concluded that this is the right direction for the organization to take. I would like to with Todd, Taneka and their family only the best."
Johnson and Jets GM Mike Maccagnan will work "closely together" to search for a new head coach, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Bowles told SNY.tv's Jeane Coakley he was "at peace with" the firing, which had become more and more expected as the Jets lost nine of their last 10 games.
After a 13-6 loss to the Dolphins dropped New York to 3-6, SNY's Ralph Vacchiano reported that Bowles was running out of time. A week later, after a disastrous 41-10 loss to the Bills, Vacchiano reported Bowles was officially on the hot seat, while Maccagnan's job was considered safe.
As questions about his job swirled over the last week, Bowles -- as had been his style -- refused to address them. Even after Sunday's 38-3 loss to the Patriots, Bowles deflected questions about his job status, telling reporters, "I don't talk about my job. That's been consistent since I've been here."
After a report came out on Christmas eve that the Jets were interested in trying to pluck Jim Harbaugh from Michigan to replace Bowles, Johnson released a statement that said: "Todd Bowles is our Head Coach. There is no truth to the report of our interest in Jim Harbaugh."
But that was prior to Sunday.
The 55-year-old Bowles became Jets head coach before the 2015 season and won 10 of his first 15 games at the helm. But beginning with a Week 17 loss that season to the Bills that eliminated them from postseason contention, it all went downhill.
Bowles' Jets finished 5-11 in 2016 and 2017, then went 4-12 this season.
Bowles was tied for the sixth-longest tenure as Jets head coach, trailing Weeb Ewbank (154 games), Joe Walton (111), Rex Ryan (96), Walt Michaels (87) and Herm Edwards (80), and being tied with Bruce Coslet (64).
With a 24-40 record, his .375 winning percentage ranks fourth-worst among Jets head coaches who led the team for multiple games. He is the only coach in franchise history to coach the team for at least three seasons without one playoff berth.