Two NFL franchises have fired their coaches on a day in the calendar known as 'Black Monday' as a result of its history of witnessing sackings.

The San Francisco 49ers dismissed Jim Tomsula, 47, after only a year in charge as they slumped to a 5-11 record to finish bottom of the NFC West.

The Cleveland Browns split with coach Mike Pettine and manager Ray Farmer.

Pettine, 49, coached the Browns for under a year but their 3-13 record saw them finish bottom of the AFC North.

Tomsula was a surprise appointment by the 49ers when he was promoted from defensive line coach, his only head coach experience at professional level being in NFL Europe with Rhein Fire.

The 49ers were the dominant team in the 1980s and early '90s under the guidance of Bill Walsh and then George Seifert but they have not won a Super Bowl since their fifth success in 1994.
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NFL play-offs: Tomsula sacked by 49ers & Pettine by Browns
Browns fire head coach Mike Pettine, 49ers dump Jim Tomsula - CBC Sports - Football - NFL