Tennessee general manager Ruston Webster thinks Mike Munchak helped the franchise that drafted him back in 1982 through a challenging time through three seasons as head coach. Unfortunately for Munchak, loyalty to the NFL team with which he spent 31 seasons just wasnt enough anymore. The Titans fired Munchak on Saturday after spending the past week talking about changes needed for a franchise that has not reached the playoffs since 2008 and last won a post-season game in January 2003. "In the end, we were not able to agree just on the future or the direction of the franchise, and I felt it was time to make a change," Webster said at a news conference. "We move ahead into the next phase of the Tennessee Titans and look for the next coach, and also looking for great things." Munchak became the seventh NFL coach fired. He said in a statement issued through the team that he had hoped this day would never come and that he couldnt express his sadness at leaving a franchise he had been with for more than 30 years. "My goal as head coach was to do things the right way with the right people, and I felt confident that the results would follow," Munchak said. "Sometimes rebuilding a team and its culture takes time, but I truly believe we were on the verge of great things. Unfortunately, my vision did not match that of the organization, so we will part ways." Webster now has to oversee this franchises first coaching search since February 2011 when Munchak was promoted and only the second since this franchise left Texas for Tennessee in 1997. Munchak flew to Texas on Friday morning to meet with team president and CEO Tommy Smith and Webster. They returned late in the afternoon. Smith said in a statement that those talks continued into Saturday before the decision to let Munchak go. "Ultimately, we decided it was best to move in different directions," Smith said. "As I told him, we appreciate his efforts as head coach and I think he helped us progress as a team." Munchak had a season left on his contract and was 22-26 overall. He had been with this franchise since 1982 when the then-Houston Oilers made him a first-round draft pick, and he joined the coaching staff as an assistant the year after he retired. The Titans made Munchak their 16th head coach when late owner Bud Adams promoted him after firing Jeff Fisher. But Munchaks first off-season was wiped out by the NFL lockout before his only winning season at 9-7. He went 6-10 after the second off-season was chewed up when Adams ordered his front office to chase Peyton Manning. Adams spent more than $100 million this past off-season to restock the Titans roster and made it clear he wanted a playoff berth. That spending spree landed 13 new free agents, along with seven draft picks making the roster. Smith, Adams son-in-law, was named president and CEO a week after Adams died in October. The Titans went 7-9 losing six games by one possession and also won six games decided by a possession. They also dropped eight of 10 games in one stretch, including five straight at home, with fans showing their displeasure by staying away by the thousands. That didnt change in the season finale with Smith watching even as the Titans beat Houston 16-10. Webster, who praised Munchaks professionalism, said the decision was shared by telephone Saturday. "He was a bridge between having a long tenured coach that had just left, and things had been done a certain way, and an older owner who in his tenure passed away," said Webster, promoted to general manager in January 2012. "I think weve been in a pretty major transition and he was part of that. Hes actually made the place better." Munchak had made it clear over the past couple of weeks that he thought having quarterback Jake Locker available for all 16 games likely would have been the difference in the two or three wins needed to earn this franchises first playoff berth since 2008. Webster wouldnt comment when asked if Munchak wanted an extension past 2014, and changes to the coaching staff likely was another issue. Defensive co-ordinator Jerry Gray and senior assistant coach for defence Gregg Williams both have expiring contracts, and special teams had problems on kick and punt returns until the team signed Leon Washington late. Munchak also promoted an old friend, Chet Parlavecchio, already on his staff as linebackers coach for 2013, and a young group featuring Zach Brown, Colin McCarthy and Akeem Ayers struggled most of the season. Asked if Munchak had been asked to fire six assistants as a condition to stay, Webster called that a "big number." Left guard Andy Levitre, who signed as a free agent in March to play for Munchak, wrote on Twitter: "Unfortunate to hear the news about Coach Munchak. Couldnt be more thankful 4 him giving me this opportunity in Nashville. Wish him the best." Cheap Air Jordan 12 Retro Black Friday . 11 Ana Ivanovic and American Sloane Stephens, and former world No. Cheap Air Jordan 23 Retro Black Friday . The three goals bring Messis career tally for Barcelona to 371 in all games -- including friendlies -- breaking the club record of 369 held by Paulino Alcantara since 1927. The 26-year-old Messi was already the clubs all-time leading scorer in official games. Messi assured Barcelonas fans they will enjoy his goals for years to come, saying "as long as people want me, I will stay here. http://www.airjordandealsblackfriday.com/.com) - The Carolina Hurricanes placed defenseman John-Michael Liles on injured reserve Tuesday. Cheap Air Jordan 9 Retro Black Friday . - Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson sat on the scorers table at Oracle Arena on Wednesday morning. Cheap Air Jordan 14 Retro Black Friday . The San Antonio Spurs handled the conditions, and the team, and it sure helped when a suffering LeBron James couldnt make it to the finish.With the NHL Draft coming up on June 27 and free agency opening on July 1, discussions between NHL general managers are already heating up towards a busy off-season. Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. Parting Ways Richard Labbe of La Presse reports that the Montreal Canadiens will not be offering a new contract to forward George Parros, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Parros played 27 games with the Canadiens this season and didnt play a single playoff game. The Canadiens acquired him last July in a trade with the Florida Panthers. Busy Penguins? Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes that other NHL teams have already contacted new Penguins GM Jim Rutherford about some of his players. "Some people came after me today, and theres ideas out there," Rutherford said Wednesday after their annual GM meeting in New York. "I havent been throwing any ideas out, but Ill listen." As Rossi notes, eight roster players will have full or modified no-trade clauses that kick in July 1. While James Neal is not among them, Neals agent told the paper hes received calls from other teams that expressed interest in acquiring the winger. Neals agent also told the Tribune-Review he has not requested a trade. Rutherford added that retaining defenceman Matt Niskanen, one of 11 players who will to become unrestricted free agents July 1, is "not going to be easy." Free Agent Grab Mikhail Grabovskis agent Gary Greenstin told The Washington Post that he thinks the Capitals want the 30-year-old centre back in the fold next season. "I believe (management has) interest in Grabo," Greenstin told The Posts Alex Prewitt. "We have interest to stay in Washington. Well see whats happening." Last summer, Grabovski signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Capiitals after the Toronto Maple Leafs bought him out for the final four seasons of a five-year deal worth $5.dddddddddddd.5 million per season. He scored 13 goals and 35 points in 58 regular season games with Washington. "If weve done the deal (by July 1), great," Greenstin added. "If not, not to worry. It has to be right, for Grabos camp, for the team. Were not worried at all. "We have short time, but we still have time." Something Bruin For Iggy Joe Haggerty of CSNNE.com writes that the Boston Bruins have made re-signing Jarome Iginla their main priority right now. Afterwards, the focus will be on locking up restricted free agents Matt Bartkowski, Torey Krug and Reilly Smith. A source also told CSNNE.com that the agent for soon-to-be unrestricted free agent Shawn Thornton hasnt yet been approached by the Bruins. As per Haggerty, Boston GM Peter Chiarelli said after the teams playoff elimination that he asked both Iginla and Thornton to "give him a few weeks" before the front office made any decisions on their status. However, Chiarelli added after the season that the Bruins are "trending away from that (fisticuffs) style." Staying In Jersey? New Jersey Devils GM Lou Lamoriello told Rich Chere of the Star-Ledger that he doesnt believe defenceman Adam Larsson would return to Sweden next season amid rumours that he was going back to play in his home country. New Job Coming TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger reported in Insider Trading on Wednesday that former Hockey Canada President and CEO Bob Nicholson will soon join the high ranks of an NHL team in a high executive capacity - above the level of president and below that of an NHL owner. Ken Campbell of The Hockey News added Wednesday that Nicholson has offers from Washington, Edmonton and Vancouver to be CEO, with the Capitals offering the most money. ' ' '