WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers fired head Mike Kelly on Thursday, citing the team's poor performance on the field.
Blue Bombers chairman Ken Hildahl told reporters that the decision to relieve Kelly of his responsibilities were not related to Kelly's arrest earlier Thursday in a domestic dispute in Pennsylvania.
"We looked at the on the field performance of the team and the offence, we looked at some of the incidents that have happened outside but surrounding the football club and came to the conclusion that it would be in the best interest of the club to move forward in this different direction," Hildahl said.
Kelly was the helm for one season, the Bombers posted a 7-11 record and missed the playoffs. He was a lightning rod for controversy, alienating some veteran players and engaging in verbal jousting matches with the media.
Hildahl admitted the new coach will have some work to do rebuilding some bridges. The team will begin the hiring process on Saturday when the board of directors meets again.
The Bombers are also looking for a new CEO after Lyle Bauer resigned earlier on Thursday.
"The (people) that we put into both of these positions we want to be rock solid, solid moral background," Hildahl said. "Somebody is going to come to repair some of the damage - there's no question there's been some question - to the club's brand."
The Bombers board spoke with Kelly late Thursday afternoon and asked him to resign his position. The coach refused the offer.
Kelly was arrested and charged with assault and harassment after police in Bridgeport, Pa., responded to Kelly's home in the Philadelphia area just before noon ET after receiving a 911 call placed from Kelly's home.
The other person involved in the incident is Andrea Peterson, Kelly's former girlfriend.
Bridgeport Police Sgt. John Cane said when officers arrived at Kelly's home, they found Peterson outside on the front steps.
"When the officers got there, she said that Mike Kelly had hit her," Cane said. "She showed us her neck, which was red, she had a small cut on her knuckle, and she had a small abrasion or some type of cut on her lip."
Kelly had some bruising on his face, police said.
Cane said the woman is not facing any charges.
A criminal records check revealed that Kelly had no previous convictions, Cane said.
Kelly was released on his own recognizance.
Kelly was reached by the Free Press on his cellphone but did not offer comment simply saying, "I can't talk right now," before hanging up.
(Winnipeg Free Press; with files from Jason Bell)
