NEW YORK -- Sal Alosi decided it was time to go.
The embattled New York Jets strength and conditioning coach resigned Monday, less than two months after he was caught tripping an opposing player during a punt return and suspended by the team.
Alosi initially was docked without pay for the rest of the season and fined $25,000 by the team for sticking out his knee to trip Miami's Nolan Carroll during a Dec. 12 game at the New Meadowlands Stadium. Alosi was suspended indefinitely by the team a few days later after acknowledging he ordered players to form a wall along the sideline.
"After the events that have transpired, I feel it's best for my family and me to look for a fresh start," Alosi said in a statement issued by the Jets.
During a news conference the day after the incident, Alosi fought back tears as he called his actions -- tripping Carroll -- "inexcusable and irresponsible." He also said no one was instructed to stay up on the sideline to prevent Dolphins players from running out of bounds on kicks. Miami's Reshad Jones was penalized for doing that earlier in the game.
It wasn't until two days later that Alosi was suspended indefinitely after he acknowledged telling the players to form the wall -- information he didn't initially volunteer.
Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said during a conference call last Friday that the team hadn't yet made a decision on Alosi's future.
"After speaking with Sal, he decided that it is best for him to tender his resignation at this time," Tannenbaum said.
Alosi was first with the Jets from 2001 to 2005, then worked for the Atlanta Falcons for one season before he was hired by then-New York coach Eric Mangini in 2007 to be the head strength and conditioning coach. A former linebacker at Hofstra, Alosi earned an award for sportsmanship and fair play both on and off the field during his college career.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press