FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Eric Mangini had the New York Jets in first place a month ago, a special season shaping up for a franchise sorely in need of one.

Four losses in five games dashed the Jets' Super Bowl hopes with a thud, and cost the coach his job.

Mangini was fired Monday, a day after New York failed to make the playoffs despite an 8-3 start and having an NFL-high seven Pro Bowl selections.

"I feel that we let him down and we could have done a better job of making plays," wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery said. "It's tough."

Behind quarterback Brett Favre, the Jets beat New England and Tennessee on the road in consecutive weeks, raising visions among fans of the team's first Super Bowl trip since 1969. New York controlled its playoff fate while sitting alone atop the AFC East before the late-season free fall.

"I don't think it was one thing," owner Woody Johnson said. "We had to go in a different direction. There's nothing specific. It's just a call we made. Hopefully, it's correct."

The 37-year-old Mangini went 23-26 in his first head coaching job, and had another year remaining on his contract.

"He did a great job for us for three years and he helped lay a great foundation," general manager Mike Tannenbaum said. "We felt, in our judgment, we want to build on that and go in a different direction."