TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Redskins Name Zorn As Gibbs' Replacement

ADVERTISEMENT

The Associated Press

Published: February 10, 2008

WASHINGTON - The Washington Redskins hired Jim Zorn as their coach Saturday night, a surprise ending to a monthlong search for a replacement for Joe Gibbs.

"I've always dreamed of being a head coach with a franchise rich in tradition like the Redskins," Zorn said in a team news release. "As a player who had to fight Redskins teams at RFK as well as at our home field, I know about the history of this franchise as well as the passion of its fans. I won't let you down."

The Redskins said the 54-year-old Zorn agreed to a five-year contract. He will be introduced at a news conference at 3 p.m. today

"We're proud that our search was diligent, thorough, and resulted in today's announcement," owner Dan Snyder said. "Jim's track record and reputation as a player, great teacher, and as a coach makes us confident that they will translate to success for the Redskins."

Zorn, a former Seattle quarterback, has been the Seahawks' quarterbacks coach for the last seven years. The Redskins hired him to be their offensive coordinator - his highest coaching position until now - on Jan. 26 while continuing their search for a head coach.

Owner Dan Snyder and his advisers settled on Zorn after completing the last of their initial interviews, with New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, earlier in the week. The owner had to wait until the Super Bowl was played to speak to Spagnuolo, who withdrew his name from consideration Thursday and signed a new three-year contract with the Giants.

Zorn was one of many candidates interviewed by Snyder in a methodical, secretive process that began after Gibbs' resignation Jan. 8 and included marathon interviews conducted at Snyder's home.

Most of the contenders' names eventually became public - Spagnuolo, Jim Fassel, Steve Mariucci, Jim Mora, Ron Meeks, Pete Carroll, Jim Schwartz as well as Redskins assistant Gregg Williams - while Zorn's status was supposedly settled once he accepted the job as offensive coordinator.

Zorn becomes the sixth coach under Snyder, who bought the team in 1999, and he ends a string of high-profile coaching hires by an owner who had developed a reputation for hiring top names at a top price. Snyder's last three coaches were Marty Schottenheimer, Steve Spurrier and Gibbs. None had a cumulative winning record, although Gibbs took the Redskins to the playoffs in two of his four seasons.

Zorn takes over a team that went 9-7, snatching the NFC's final wild-card berth on the last weekend of the regular season, before losing to Seattle in the first round of the playoffs. The Redskins have a core of talented players, but there are question marks at several positions that need to be addressed during the offseason.

The offensive system will undergo an overhaul under Zorn, who is expected to install a version of the West Coast offense. He also will have to sell himself to players who have expressed disappointment that the job didn't go to Williams, the mastermind of the defense for four seasons and the assistant often portrayed as Gibbs' heir apparent.

COWBOYS: Hired Reggie Herring as linebackers coach, a month after the ex-Arkansas interim coach was named Texas A&M defensive coordinator.

PANTHERS: Came to terms with defensive tackle Damione Lewis on a three-year contract.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT