| | NEW ORLEANS -- Saints fan Alan Cousin Sr. was so upset with
the team's three-year losing streak that he planned to discontinue
his season tickets. But after learning Wednesday that coach Mike
Ditka had been fired, Cousin was having second thoughts.
"I walked to the door and started cheering," said Cousin, a
46-year-old U.S. Postal Service manager.
After three losing years, Cousin said it was time for Saints
owner Tom Benson to fire Ditka. Also fired were general manager
Bill Kuharich, vice president of governmental affairs Terry O'Neil
and assistant coaches.
Ditka "is great personally, I love him, but I think the game
has passed him by," Cousin said. "The cost of the product wasn't
worth it."
Beverly Traina has been following the Saints since they started fielded
a team. She said she was surprised by Ditka's departure.
"I thought he was an excellent coach," she said. "I thought
if anything, Benson was going to hire a (new general manager) and
let Ditka be the coach. I'm very disappointed."
Traina said she thought Benson's hiring of Ditka was one of the
few good things he has done since he bought the team in 1985.
"He's been tacky about raising ticket sales and talking of
moving the team," Traina said.
Some fans were downright gleeful after learning Ditka would no
longer head the time.
"He's arrogant," said 57-year-old Melvin Robertson as he took
a break from his telecommunications job downtown. "He's had three
years. He had his chance."
Deborah Harris said the outcome simply left her depressed about
the Saints -- again.
"You look at the coaches we've had. If they couldn't do it, who
can?" she said. "It's sad and I'm sorry to see it."
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