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Redskins Fire Williams And Saunders

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The Associated Press

Published: January 27, 2008

WASHINGTON - The Washington Redskins have virtually their entire coaching staff in place for next season - except for the head coach.

And that head coach won't be Gregg Williams. Or Al Saunders.

As for the rest of the candidates, they'll have to wait until the Super Bowl is done.

On a busy Saturday at Redskins Park, the team fired assistants Williams and Saunders, promoted Greg Blache to lead the team's defense and formally announced the hiring of Jim Zorn to head the offense.

There was more. A person familiar with the coaching selection process told The Associated Press that linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti has agreed to a new contract.

The person said Al Saunders' son, offensive assistant Bob Saunders, will not return next season. Less certain was the future of quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor. After initially deciding that Lazor will not be back next season, the Redskins will leave his fate to the new head coach.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the subject.

As for the search for a head coach, the next interviews aren't expected to take place until Feb. 4, the day after the New York Giants and New England Patriots play in Super Bowl XLII, so Snyder can talk to assistants from the two teams involved.

Williams met four times with Snyder to discuss the head coaching job, but it quickly became clear that the owner was more focused on other candidates, including former Giants head coach Jim Fassel, current Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

Kiffin Hopes To Return As Raiders Coach

MOBILE, Ala. - Lane Kiffin said he hopes to be back as Oakland Raiders coach next season, a day after reports surfaced that owner Al Davis has asked him to resign.

Kiffin was asked after coaching the North team at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., on Saturday whether he wanted to return for a second season as Oakland's coach.

"I hope so," he said.

Kiffin would not comment further on a report by ESPN that Davis drew up a resignation letter for him two weeks ago.

"It's got nothing to do with this game, and these guys' last game here," he said.

The Raiders denied the report when it came out Friday.

Speculation about Kiffin's status began three weeks ago after reports surfaced following the season that he wanted to fire defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. The Raiders dismissed those reports and announced that Ryan was staying on as coordinator.

Kiffin was reportedly upset that he didn't have control of his coaching staff, leading Davis to ask for his resignation. If Kiffin were to resign, he would not be paid for the remaining two years of his contract.

Kiffin, 32, was the youngest man to coach a game in the NFL since Harland Svare took over the Los Angeles Rams as a 31-year old in 1962. The team went 4-12 in his first season in Oakland, doubling the team's win total from the previous year.

BENGALS: The NFL cleared linebacker Odell Thurman to resume working out with the Cincinnati, a step toward reinstatement from his two-year suspension.

BROWNS: Have made contract offers to quarterback Derek Anderson and running back Jamal Lewis, key players they hope to keep off the free-agent market.

FALCONS: Coach Mike Smith hired Terry Robiskie as team's receivers coach.

Robiskie has 25 years of NFL coaching experience, including brief stints as an interim head coach in Washington and Cleveland.

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