The Jets made the first moves on Black Monday, as Owner Woody Johnson this morning informed coach Rex Ryan and GM John Idzik “that neither one would be returning to the team in 2015.” The news “does not come as a surprise,” and the Jets now “embark upon a new search for an entire new regime.” Former NFL front office execs Charley Casserly and Ron Wolf will assist Johnson “in their search for a new man” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 12/29). Ryan "cleaned out his desk this week" at Jets HQ (ESPN.com, 12/28).

Meanwhile, "major change looms at Halas Hall" after the Bears' 5-11 season. The "only question that remained" after yesterday's loss to the Vikings was whether GM Phil Emery "would lose his job along with coach Marc Trestman." A "strong sense of when, not if, permeated the locker room" Sunday (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/29). Black Monday "could be one of the most brutal in Bears history" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 12/29).

The 49ers yesterday issued a statement saying the team and coach Jim Harbaugh had "mutually agreed" to part ways. Multiple reports indicate Harbaugh will now coach the Univ. of Michigan, where he is "expected to be introduced at a news conference" tomorrow. He had "one year remaining on his contract" with the NFL team (S.F. CHRONICLE, 12/29). Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman tweeted, "Harbaugh is scheduled to take a 10 AM PT flight on a private jet to #Michigan Monday morning, source tells @FoxSports" (TWITTER.com, 12/28).

Secondary market ticket prices for “cheap” seats to Tuesday’s Illinois-Michigan men’s basketball game soared from $25 to $125 “once rumors spread” that Michigan was going to introduce Harbaugh during the game (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 12/29).

The NFL has finalized its Wild Card Weekend schedule following several Week 17 games that determined postseason seeding and eligibility. Saturday, Jan. 3, will feature Cardinals-Panthers at 4:35pm ET in ESPN's inaugural NFL playoff game telecast (THE DAILY).

The Giants and Jets paid tribute to the NYPD during yesterday's games, which came a day after the funeral for slain police officer Rafael Ramos. Jets coach Rex Ryan wore an NYPD hat on the sideline against the Dolphins in Miami, as did Giants coach Tom Coughlin during a home game against the Eagles. Several members of the Giants organization wore NYPD hats "as they warmed up" before the game, "pairing them with shirts reading 'Peace'" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 12/28).

ABC averaged 7.69 million viewers for its Christmas Day NBA doubleheader, which featured Cavaliers F LeBron James’ return to Miami in a game against the Heat in the late afternoon window, as well as Thunder-Spurs in the early window. That average is up 19% from last year, when ABC featured Heat-Lakers in the late window and Thunder-Knicks in the early window (ESPN).

For more on the Christmas Day games, see today's issue of THE DAILY.

The AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl is "preparing to host its largest crowd ever" – a sellout of 71,500 – for tonight's Texas-Arkansas matchup at NRG Stadium. The crowd also would mark the "largest for a bowl game" in Houston history. A partnership among the Texans, Lone Star Sports & Entertainment and ESPN Events includes the AdvoCare Texas Kickoff on Labor Day weekend, so that the city now hosts "bookend games in a strategic move to become a bigger player" in college football. The Texas Bowl is in its ninth year and is "financially solvent" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 12/29).

A source said that the '16 MLB All-Star Game "won't be played at Camden Yards" despite the Orioles having been "viewed as the favorites" to host the event. The club "hasn't been officially notified" it is out of the running (MASNSPORTS.com, 12/29). ESPN's Buster Olney tweeted, "Can't help but wonder if fight over MASN is and will be a factor" (TWITTER.com, 12/29).

Penn State on Saturday defeated Boston College 31-30 in OT at the New Era Pinstripe Bowl in front of 49,012 fans at Yankee Stadium, “breaking last year's attendance record of 47,122” for the Notre Dame-Rutgers game (MLB.com, 12/27).

The NYRA has “raised purses at some key stakes races” for Saratoga Race Course’s 147th meet next summer. The 40-day meet, which runs from July 24 through Labor Day, will feature 69 stakes worth a record $18.7M in purses (AP, 12/29).

New Balance today is running full-page ads in Wall Street Journal and the N.Y. Times: “Thank You. To Each And Every Police Officer, Firefighter, First Responders and Service Men & Woman” (THE DAILY).

“There’s a lot of people in our organization whose livelihood depends on how well we do. We’re not gonna tolerate people who are irresponsible, no matter what round they’re drafted in” – Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam III, on the team suspending or fining several players, including Johnny Manziel, for yesterday's game against the Ravens for missing meetings (ESPN.com, 12/28).

“Fans are voting with their remotes and with their eyeballs. I take issue with the notion of judging what’s a good idea based on how many people are in the stands” – ESPN VP/Programming & Acquisitions Ilan Ben-Hanan, on the decline of bowl game attendance (USA TODAY, 12/26).

“He is a broke college student. Imagine guaranteeing him 20-plus million dollars. I think he would lose his mind” – NBC’s Rodney Harrison, on taking Jameis Winston in the '15 NFL Draft (“FNIA,” NBC, 12/28).

Rex Ryan wants to explore NFL head coach opportunities. If he doesn't land HC job, I'm told he believes his next destination will be ESPN

— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) December 29, 2014

Only 11 NFL games left this year. No more Red Zone Channel until September. Kinda sad

— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) December 29, 2014

I believe Mark Davis would offer Harbaugh a lot of money--not quite as much as Michigan, but a chance to stay in Bay Area and NFL...

— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) December 29, 2014

If some journalists knew as much about NFL personnel and schematics as they portend to, they wouldn't cover NFL teams, they'd work for one.

— Danny O'Neil (@dannyoneil) December 29, 2014

Friday’s “Final Jeopardy!” category was “African Flags.”

“The flag of Burundi has stars representing the TWA and these two other ethnic groups much in the news in the 1990s.”

“Who are the Tutsi and Hutu?”