WASHINGTON — The Washington Redskins interviewed Jim Zorn for their offensive coordinator’s position Wednesday, sources said, even as the choice of their new head coach remained unclear.
Zorn, the quarterbacks coach of the Seattle Seahawks, is well regarded by two of the top candidates to replace Joe Gibbs: former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel and Redskins assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams.
League and team sources said Wednesday afternoon that they expected Fassel would get the job, but as of Wednesday night the Redskins said they had no plans for a news conference making such an announcement.
After flying to Washington and interviewing with owner Daniel Snyder at his home, Zorn was expected to talk Wednesday night with Seahawks officials, who want to keep him on their staff. Seattle could promise to give him their offensive coordinator job when coach Mike Holmgren retires, possibly after next season. That might be enough to persuade Zorn, a former Seahawks quarterback and a legendary figure in the city, to join fellow Seattle assistant Jim Mora in withdrawing his name from Redskins consideration.
Fassel has a longtime friendship with Holmgren, Zorn’s coach in Seattle since 2001. The progress of young quarterback Jason Campbell, a former first-round pick with 20 career starts, is paramount in Washington’s next coaching regime, league sources said. Zorn’s work with Matt Hasselbeck, Seneca Wallace, and, as a rookie, Charlie Batch while Zorn was with Detroit, earned him praise.
The Redskins had previously only interviewed candidates for the head coaching opening, but Zorn was flown to town from the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., where he had been scouting with the Seattle staff. Zorn could not be reached to comment. He departed Washington late Wednesday afternoon.
Fassel completed his second interview Monday, sources said, leaving a favorable impression with Snyder.
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