Zorn named Redskins’ coach

Published 10:54 pm Saturday, February 9, 2008

WASHINGTON — In a stunning end to the Washington Redskins’ coaching search, recently hired offensive coordinator Jim Zorn will be introduced today as the team’s head coach.

The Redskins named Zorn to fill the coaching position Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs left when he resigned as team president and head coach on Jan. 8. Zorn, 54, is a former Seattle Seahawks quarterback and assistant coach who never previously served as a head coach or offensive coordinator in the NFL.

“I’ve always dreamed of being a head coach with a franchise rich in tradition like the Redskins,” Zorn said in a statement. “As a player who had to fight Redskins teams at RFK (Stadium) 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 team’s coaching search had been shrouded in secrecy. At various points, former assistant head coach Gregg Williams and former Giants coach Jim Fassel were considered leading candidates after long interviews with owner Daniel Snyder.

Indianapolis Colts assistant coach Ron Meeks also interviewed multiple times for the position. Snyder had few choices left after waiting more than 30 days to make a decision in an offseason when there were few high-profile candidates interested in the job.

The decision to bypass Williams infuriated fans, who filled football message boards, even the one backed by the team, with angry posts. The outcry grew louder when Fassel became a leading candidate, fans wanting no part of a coach who had been fired by the Baltimore Ravens as their offensive coordinator.

Multiple days of interviews early this week with Giants assistant coach Steve Spagnuolo, who directed the defense that thwarted the previously undefeated New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, resulted in Spagnuolo signing a new three-year contract with the Giants hours after returning home. Spagnuolo withdrew on Wednesday.

Of the remaining candidates, Fassel was the only one to get a phone call that day from the Redskins reiterating their interest and telling him to expect further contact, league sources said. On Thursday, none of the candidates were contacted, according to league sources, but observers at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Va., began to notice that Zorn was not at the facility as often as expected and had begun spending more time with Snyder and Vinny Cerrato, executive vice president of football operations, leading some in the organization to believe he was now interviewing to become the head coach.

By Saturday, negotiations with Zorn intensified and that evening one of Snyder’s planes was sent to Seattle to pick up Zorn’s family. The Redskins also contacted Fassel Saturday, telling him further communication would be coming today, league sources said.

“We’re proud that our search was diligent, thorough, and resulted in today’s announcement,” Snyder said in a statement. “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.”

Redskins cornerback Shawn Springs was a former draft pick and star for the Seahawks and knew Zorn from his time in Seattle. Springs said he is enthusiastic about playing for Zorn but expects significant change in the offense.

“The offensive guys better be ready, I’m telling you it’s going to be different from what they’re used to,” Springs said. “The way they ran practice and the whole philosophy of thinking is entirely different. This system is all about speed, the quickness, the timing getting in and out of practice, from what I remember.”

Ironically, Fassel and Williams both told the Redskins in their interviews that Zorn, who signed a five-year contract with the team, would be their top choice to be offensive coordinator if they got the head coaching job, sources said.

Zorn developed a good reputation as a tutor of quarterbacks while a position coach with the Seahawks. Zorn was initially hired to replace play caller Al Saunders as offensive coordinator. It is unclear at the moment who will be the offensive coordinator. Zorn was expected to hold that job and be the quarterbacks coach responsible for molding young quarterback Jason Campbell.

Zorn spent seven seasons as quarterbacks coach for the Seahawks under coach Mike Holmgren, where they shared in playoff trips for the past five seasons and one Super Bowl appearance. His elevation to head coach at the Redskins adds his name to Holmgren’s “family tree” of quarterback coaches who moved into the head coaching ranks, joining Andy Reid (directly from quarterback coach to the Eagles head coach), Jon Gruden, Marty Morninweg and Steve Mariucci. Holmgren’s tree also includes Jim Mora, Dick Jauron, Ray Rhodes and Mike Sherman. Springs said Zorn’s roots under Holmgren should serve him well.

“I like the fact that coach Holmgren and his staff were extremely confident and extremely well-organized,” he said. “I learned so much from being (around) those offensive coaches and Jim’s been around enough good people that he’ll bring in some good guys with experience, and I personally think he can do some things. I know he worked his quarterbacks hard, but we’ll have to see what kind of coach he is.”