Mike Martz's stay with the Detroit Lions is over, according to multiple U.S. media outlets.
The NFL team fired the controversial offensive co-ordinator Wednesday after two seasons, and divided Martz's duties between Jim Colletto, who will retain his position as offensive line coach while calling plays, and receivers coach Kippy Brown, who will serve as co-ordinator, the Detroit Free Press, Booth Newspapers and ESPN.com reported.
A message seeking comment was left Wednesday with Martz's agent, Bob LaMonte. The Lions had no comment on the reports, a team spokesman said.
Martz, though, confirmed his firing to the Free Press.
"We fell short of what we wanted to do offensively, and I regret that," he told the newspaper.
The Lions went 7-9 this season, missing the playoffs after a 6-2 start. Their offence finished 16th in points per game (21.6) and 19th in average yards (322.9).
Martz won a reputation as one of pro football's finest offensive minds during his time with the St. Louis Rams. Dubbed the Greatest Show on Turf, Martz's intricate and explosive attack featuring quarterback Kurt Warner, running back Marshall Faulk, and receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt keyed the Rams' run to the Super Bowl title following the 1999 season, Martz's first as the team's offensive co-ordinator.
After taking over as head coach when Dick Vermeil retired in the wake of the surprise Super Bowl victory, Martz guided St. Louis back to the NFL title game following the 2001 season. But his high-powered team was grounded by the upstart New England Patriots, and Martz was heavily criticized for relying too heavily on the passing game.
That same charge dogged Martz during his time with the Lions, who he joined after a messy split with the Rams in January 2006. In his two seasons at the helm of Detroit's offence, the team never finished better than middle of the pack in points or yards.
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