Redskins 2008 Coaching Search - One Year Later

Threading the needle to an NFL head coaching job

Set aside in your mind for one moment how sloppily and how haphazard the search for a successor to Joe Gibbs seemed a year ago.  Forget the Joe Gibbs victory lap, the hatchet job on Gregg Williams and the leadership silence over 32 days in January and Febraury 2008 as Dan Snyder rooted around for a better candidate, one that never materialized so he promoted the offensive coordinator that had never had playcalling as a regular job duty.

Let's go back for a mo and see what might have been...

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Bill Cowher, former Steelers coach

First appearance in chronology (op. cit.):  9 January 2008, one day after Joe Gibbs' resignation, unidentified associates of Bill's indicated he was not inclined to return to coaching in 2008, and Bill himself expressed this on 20 January, and sure enough he did not.  Note carefully that regardless of Bill's actual interest, Vinny Cerrato would have worked very hard to ensure this candidacy would not come to fruition, as the on boarding of Bill Cowher would mean the off boarding of Vinny.  Ultimately not a serious candidate, Bill will be back in football soon.

Jim Schwartz, (at the time) Tennessee Titans Defensive Coordinator

First appearance in chronology:  10 January, Joe Gibbs' resignation plus two days, Jim was the first interviewee for the head coaching position, two days later Jim Schwartz is sounding less than hopeful, and Jim falls out of contention.  On 16 January 2009 Jim Schwartz was named head coach of the Detroit Lions.

Gregg Williams, Redskins Defensive Coordinator

First appearance in chronology:  omnipresent until his dismissal on 26 January, although Gregg ultimately had four interviews with Dan Snyder and team leadership it is my belief the team never wanted him and that he was never a serious candidate.  After spending 2008 as Jaguars defensive coordinator Gregg is now defensive coordinator in New Orleans.

Ron Meeks, Colts Defensive Coordinator

First appearance in chronology:  14 January, plus six days, the Redskins expressed interest and requested permission to interview, it was granted and Ron interviewed with the Redskins on 17 January and again on 29 January and then dropped out of contention.  Upon the retirement of Tony Dungy as Colts head coach, Ron left Indianapolis and became the Panthers defensive coordinator.

Jim Mora, Seahawks Assistant Head Coach - Defensive Backs

First appearance in chronology:  15 January, plus one week, Jim Mora interviewed the following two days but withdrew on 18 January, likely with the foreknowledge that he would be named Seattle head coach upon Mike Holmgren's retirement.  Jim Mora is now head coach in Seattle.

Steve Spagnuolo, Giants Defensive Coordinator

First appearance in chronology:  21 January, plus thirteen days, the team cannot secure an interview with Steve until after the Super Bowl on 3 February, has a phone interview with Dan Snyder on 4 February and an in person interview the following day, spends the night and interviewed the next day as well.  Steve Spagnuolo left Washington on 7 February, there is dispute over whether Steve and the team agreed Steve was a year or two away from being a head coach.  As it turned out, Steve was a year away, on 17 January 2009 Steve Spagnuolo was named head coach in St. Louis.

Jim Fassel, former Giants coach

First public appearance in chronology:  22 January, plus two weeks, Jim Fassel's first appearance in this story was actually back on 11 January, Joe Gibbs' retirement plus three days, when Dan Snyder's plane, Redskins One was spotted in Arizona, Jim Fassel managed to have two interviews in secret with Washington, one on 11 January (op. cit.) and the other on 21 January before the news was made public to an outpouring of fan derision.  Jim Fassel was nearly named head coach on 23 January but was ultimately strung along by the team until the final days of the search before being cut loose.  Jim Fassel is now head coach of the Las Vegas franchise of the brand new UFL.

Jim Zorn, Seahawks Quarterbacks Coach

First appearance in chronology:  23 January, plus fifteen days, Jim Zorn interviewed that for the soon to be vacant offensive coordinator position, Al Saunders would not be quote released unquote for another three days (op. cit.).  The following day conventional wisdom began to coalesce that Jim Fassel would be the head coach with Jim Zorn as offensive coordinator and Rex Ryan as defensive coordinator.  However Baltimore blocked a lateral move for Rex causing the plan to collapse.  That same day, the 23rd, Seattle opened talks with Jim Zorn about staying on in Seattle, however seeing the writing on the wall with Jim Mora, Greg Knapp and no place for him, Jim decided to take the Washington offensive coordinator job on 25 January.  Thirteen days later, with options dwindling the team began to interview Jim Zorn for the head coaching job, his interviews ran into the next day.  The following day, 9 February, Jim Zorn is named head coach of the Redskins.

Josh McDaniels, Patriots Offensive Coordinator

First appearance in chronology:  24 January, plus sixteen days, due to poor planning the Redskins, or lack of real interest, the team did not request an interview with Josh during the down week between the Championship games and the Super Bowl and therefore Josh was not eligible for interview until after the Super Bowl.  On 11 January 2009 Josh McDaniels was named head coach of the Denver Broncos.

Steve Mariucci, Carpetbagger

First appearance in chronology:  27 January, plus nineteen days, with Steve's ties to the west coast system and his NFL Network contract expiring many factors came into place, absent the enormous backlash associated with Jim Fassel, Steve became a serious candidate quickly, the team announced in 31 January that it would interview Steve but never actually do, he is no longer considered a serious candidate by 5 February.

Al Saunders, Redskins Offensive Coordinator

Never interviewed for the position, never considered by the team, dismissed on 26 January.  Spent 2008 as offensive coordinator in St. Louis, is currently not employed by an NFL team.

Pete Carroll, USC Trojans Head Coach

First appearance in chronology:  29 January, plus three weeks, the Washington Post reported that discussions between Pete and the team had happened earlier in the month, were unproductive and ended.  Not a serious candidate.

Kind of nice not to have another circus this offseason.

Redskins head coach Jim Zorn as seen through two of Washington's three Super Bowl trophies:  AP photo from here.