WINNIPEG -- The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have fired head coach Doug Berry.
The CFL club made it official Wednesday at a news conference.
"This move has been made in what the club believes is in the best interest of the on-field product," Bombers president Lyle Bauer said in a statement. "We thank Doug for his contribution over the past three years and wish him the best in the future."
Winnipeg finished second in the East Division this season but with a mediocre 8-10 record.
The Blue Bombers dropped a 29-21 decision to the Edmonton Eskimos in the East Division semifinal last Saturday.
The move was a shocker, considering Berry had led Winnipeg to the playoffs in each of his three years as the club's head coach and had signed a contract extension earlier this year.
However, much more was expected from the Bombers after the club reached the Grey Cup last year before losing 23-19 to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Berry, 60, a native of Claremont, N.H., became the Bombers head coach Dec. 15, 2005 and took over a team that had won just five games that season. Berry spent the previous seven years as an assistant coach and offensive co-ordinator with the Montreal Alouettes.
He posted a 9-9 record in his first season with Winnipeg, leading the club to a playoff berth. Berry posted a 27-26-1 record with Winnipeg.
The Blue Bombers ended the '08 campaign last in the CFL in scoring (21 points per game).
The firing of Berry came on the same day that Bombers tackle Doug Brown and linebacker Zeke Moreno were named to the CFL all-star defensive team.
