The Jacksonville Jaguars dismissed long-time vice president of football operations Paul Vance today, in a move that was surprising to quite a few media members. It shouldn't have been all that shocking with a new owner, but ESPN's Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter might have found out one the reasons for Vance's firing: Some Jaguars assistant coaches are disputing the working in their contracts (of which Vance handles) to the tune of $3.5 and $4 million.
The seven assistants had signed extensions in 2010 and the club believed it was for two years that would expire at the end of the 2011 season. However, the applicable clause in dispute states, "shall terminate on the later of January 31, 2012 or the day after the Jaguars' last football game of the 2012 season and playoffs..."
Consequently, the assistant coaches want to be compensated for the 2012 season, especially if they remain unemployed. Those coaches' specific names have not been confirmed.
Vance, who was dismissed Sunday as the team's senior vice president of football operations and general counsel, called it an incorrect reference and that it "should have read the 2011 NFL season." Vance termed it an error and "there was no intent on your part or our part of the club to establish a contract for the 2012 season," according to a correspondence acquired by ESPN that was sent to the coaches.
Yeah, that's kind of a big "whoops" and it's no surprise the unnamed assistant coaches are disputing the contract.