The Kansas City Chiefs have sacked defensive coordinator Bob Sutton, two days after the team's loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
The Chiefs' defense allowed 524 yards and 36 first downs and was on the field for 94 plays during the 37-31 overtime loss to the Patriots.
"Bob is a good football coach and a great person," Kansas City coach Andy Reid said in a statement. "He played an integral role in the success of our team over the last six seasons.
"I've said before that change can be a good thing for both parties, and I believe that is the case here for the Chiefs and Bob.
"This was not an easy decision, but one I feel is in the best interest of the Kansas City Chiefs moving forward."
Sutton, who turns 68 on Monday, spent six seasons as Kansas City's defensive coordinator. The unit struggled much of this season despite the Chiefs going 12-4 and claiming the AFC's No 1 seed for the postseason.
Kansas City ranked 31st in total defense at 405.5 yards per game and 24th in scoring defense at 26.3 points per game.
The Chiefs were 31st at defending the pass (273.4) and 27th versus the run (132.1). The Chiefs did rack up 52 sacks, with more than half of them coming from defensive end Chris Jones (15.5) and linebacker Dee Ford (13).
However, it was Ford who lined up offside on a pivotal play and the penalty wiped out an interception by Kansas City cornerback Charvarius Ward with 54 seconds left on Sunday. The Chiefs led 28-24 at the time.
The mistake kept New England in the contest, and the Patriots drove for a touchdown before Kansas City later forced overtime with a field goal.
The Patriots easily drove 75 yards on 13 plays for the decisive score on the first possession of overtime.