Report: Redskins Owner Dan Snyder Called Mike Shanahan

Beleaguered Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn has reason to look over his shoulder: Owner Daniel Snyder has reportedly contacted Mike Shanahan, both before the season and during the season, about coaching the team.

John Czarnecki of FoxSports.com writes:

Zorn appears to be a dead coach walking with old-timer Sherm Lewis hired to oversee his game plans. Word has it Snyder approached former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan in the offseason to be his head coach and has made another attempt during the season, only to be rebuffed both times. Despite being owed millions by Denver owner Pat Bowlen, Shanahan does want to return to the sidelines, but he wants to wait until the league season ends and consider his options.

It's a sign of how badly coached the Redskins have looked this year -- that it's not particularly surprising to see a report that Snyder attempted to hire Shanahan during the season -- even though, at 2-2, Zorn probably thinks he has time to turn the team around this year.

But one way or another, I'm sure Snyder will make Shanahan another offer at some point. The biggest question is whether Shanahan would accept: he'd probably rather work for an owner who's a little more hands-off than Snyder, but I imagine Snyder will give Shanahan about 10 million reasons to consider becoming the Redskins' coach in 2010.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

10-11-2009 @ 10:28AM

nexxtlevell said...

Shanahan is an awesome coach. I remember when Romanowski praised him during the years he was there. Other players often spoke of how great a coach he was too. I wish Denver had not let go of him but thats how it goes I guess.

10-11-2009 @ 11:50AM

hlfordiii said...

It doesn't matter who the Redskins bring in to coach the team. As long as Daniel Snyder continues to own the team they will not consistently win. A good year here and there, but they will consistently be a mediocre at best team. Spend the money on a true "head of football operations" and ban Snyder from all personnel decisions and they can start to be the Redskins of old. But, like Jerry Jones in Dallas, its not going to happen.

10-11-2009 @ 12:48PM

paul said...

Agree.
Shanahan will not coach Washington because Daniel "Napoleon" Snyder and his massive ego won't give Shanahan the control he wants.
I doubt Cowher or Mike Holmgren would be interested either.
Snyder's ego coupled with his total lack of any semblance of personnel skills or talent evaluation spells continued doom for the great Redskins' franchise.
No playoffs ever, no success ever with Snyder calling the shots. Sad Sad Sad

10-11-2009 @ 6:59PM

Robin said...

Keep Jerry Jones out of this blog. At least he won 3 Superbowls. You may not like him, but he is an outstanding business man as well as billionaire!

10-11-2009 @ 4:05PM

slimshady59ers said...

anybody but zorn he's a terrible coach.

10-11-2009 @ 4:50PM

Old Redskins Fan said...

Yes the owner makes it difficult to get a quality Head Coach and not an On the Job trainee however immediate changes that are needed right away (1) Replace Number 17, he is not a championship Qback, looks awkward. (2) Somehow obtain a top flight head coach (3) shore up Offensive line (4) fire number 86 and 12, they are just taking up space, if they have athletic ability they are not showing it (5) Portis is right, number 45 has become virtually useless, missed many blocks against Carolina. I have been a Redskins fan over 40 years and I have never said anything negative about my team prior to today but I have had it with lack of enthusiasm and losing. The Carolina game was an incideous debacle. We need to hire intelligent players who do not run toward their own player waving for a fair catch, really dumb only disaster comes from not using your common sense. I want a Redskins team like the old days who are always in it and win close games and demolish teams they should beat easily. We need a team that hates losing more than they like winning. I love my Redskins but the time has come to "Change for the Better" and quit making excuses for why things aren't happening. Just Do It.

10-11-2009 @ 5:51PM

rperry2593 said...

If i was Jason campbell i would want out of DC.If you looked at the game how could you blame him for our sorry team effort.Our D sucks not because of the player ,but the coachs 98 is a D-end NOT a linebacker .Thomas drops a beatiful thrown pass By Campbell.Sellers blocks like a girl i could go on instead i'll do like everyone else and blame Campbell

10-11-2009 @ 5:54PM

zavolas said...

If Snyder doesn't hire a GM it will never matter who the head coach is. I am a Redskins fan but I try look at things as objectivly as possible. They have more"talent" then MOST teams, but talent alone won'tdo it.They need to assemble a "team" not a roster of individuals. Snyder want's towin as much as we do (he was and is a diehard fan) but if he wants to accomplish that then he needs to step back and let "football" minds make the decisions.Joe Bug's WAS a great offensive line coach, but the key word is WAS. Hire a GM and let him turn things around.

10-11-2009 @ 5:56PM

James said...

I can remember the days when The Redskins could be down by 17 points in the first half and come out in the second and wear a team out by the 4th quarter and would run the ball 70-80% doing it, now it seems like The Redskins can be up 17 points and come out after the half and lose the game. I truly hope that The Skins change out J. Campbell and Zorn next season...

10-11-2009 @ 6:41PM

jjackman said...

This would be a great move if Mr. Snyder was able to land Coach Shanahan. A proven winner and great coach. Could bring back the respectability to the Skins. How 'bout trying to get Darren McFadden out of the hell hole of Oakland where great players go to die. What a great back field the Skins would have with Portis and Mcfadden. Jerry Jones would have a fit. He absolutley loves the ex-Arkansas back. Besides, Clinton can't last forever and he would be a great mentor to D-Mac.
Go Skins!!!!!!!!!!!

10-12-2009 @ 1:23PM

govikesatw said...

REDSKINS MUST FIRE THIS COACH!! AS OF TODAY!! SEASON IS GONE ALREADY. DO NOT PAY HIM ANYMORE. LET HIM GO TODAY. REDSKINS ALSO NEEDS NEW QB--AND GET NEW PLAYERS. WHOEVER NEW COACH- IS HE NEEDS TO DO SOME HOUSE CLEANING. GET RID OFF-PORTIS AND OTHERS ALREADY OLD AND CREATING PROBLEMS FOR YOUNGER PLAYERS. THIS SUPPOSE TO BE A "TEAM WORK"
NOT ABOUT ME!! SHAME ON YOU SCHNADER YOU BRING THIS TEAM THIS LEVEL...

10-12-2009 @ 9:17PM

taylor5000 said...

Right on...I wanted to trade Portis and JC during the off season....I think Collins can take this team to a lot of wins yet this season....He did it before and he can do it again.