Sources: Mike Shanahan Turned Down Redskins Coaching Job

Sources have confirmed that the Washington Redskins recently tried to hire Mike Shanahan to replace Jim Zorn and Shanahan declined. The sources would not rule out the possibility that Shanahan would reconsider in the offseason.

"Shanahan told the franchise there was little he could do in the middle of the season for them and that changing coaches during the season in the NFL rarely works,'' a Redskins management source told FanHouse. "Several people that Dan Snyder trusts have suggested, if he makes a move, he should turn it over to secondary coach Jerry Gray. That could still happen.

"We are trying to give Jim every chance to turn it around. The move to [bring in offensive consultant Sherm] Lewis is to take more off Jim's plate, especially the play-calling, because it is not working, and that is where Jim is spending much of his time. Now he can coach the entire team. Let's see where that gets us.''

Blackistone: Redskins Are Worst-Run Franchise in Sports

Reports surfaced Sunday night, after Washington's embarrassing 14-6 home loss to Kansas City, that Lewis would take over the Redskins' play-calling duties. The team confirmed that change Monday.

The Redskins currently sit at 2-4 and in last place in the NFC East, with losses to Detroit, Carolina and Kansas City -- teams that have four total wins combined. Washington hosts Philadelphia next Monday night prior to a Week 8 bye, and has just one game remaining against a team with a record currently under .500.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

10-19-2009 @ 5:04PM

Ron said...

Good news for them is that they play the cowboys twice, and knowing the way my team is, the cowboys will find a way to let the skins win both games! Go Cowboys!!!

10-19-2009 @ 8:50PM

Ron you're dead on it-see I'm a cowboy4-Life-sit back and watch what we do...why on earth have pitty on them now..will never be heard or said those egg suckin dogs had any -any feelins for us..And ohh yea I feel ya when ya said they could beat us twice,,oh what a true cowboy you are--feel me knockin--let me in

10-20-2009 @ 9:49AM

nikin78 said...

Sorry to break it to you guys but the Boys are an average team at best. For a team with so much talent and barely beating the Chiefs, that's not so good. You guys in need a team leader and Tony NoShow is not it. Romo is the problem in Dallas.

10-20-2009 @ 11:06AM

Anne said...

Good thing is Snyder loves to give money away. Then sue people who lost their jobs and saving and cannot afford the season tickets anymore. After all, he has to pay that 100 million dollar price tag. They guy is not that good. Until Snyder backs out of the operations on the field and in the locker room, the skins will stay a losing team. Snyder is the problem, not Zorn. FYI, As much as I hate the boys I would root for them before the skins and I was a die hard skins fan all my life.

10-21-2009 @ 12:22AM

ray said...

c0wb0ys suck.we play 0ur best ball vs. dallas

10-19-2009 @ 6:26PM

john said...

i would not be surprised if he is coaching the boys next year. jerry needs to get rid of both wade and jason.

10-19-2009 @ 6:33PM

cjohn2112 said...

he may coach th cowboys next year....but if im right on why he turned down the skins job, he wont...i dont see how any coach that could pretty much get any job they wanted would work for either snyder or jerry "the moron" jones

10-19-2009 @ 8:04PM

jobs at cc said...

Let's get Brain Billick in here. Unlike Bill Cowher it did not take him 13 years to win a Super Bowl with tons of talent over the years! Billick won it in after 2 years of coaching with siffs as QBs for the Ravens.

10-19-2009 @ 9:24PM

eztotouchme said...

Why is it always the coachs' fault? He doesn't play. That team needs a player transfusion on offense. They hired this guy as offensive coordinator, was thrust into the head coaching job and is now blamed for the general manager not giving him any players. I will never understand how so many billionaires can be so stupid, in thinking they know football better than the people who have been doing it their whole life. Snyder, Jerry Jones, Al Davis all need to learn to leave the football to the football people.

10-20-2009 @ 10:51AM

Wish Belkin said...

You nailed it.

10-19-2009 @ 9:46PM

dougwsmth said...

There has been a giant need for offensive line rebuilding in Washington that the Redskin ownership and management has ignored for three years.
The owner owes it to the fans to put adequate people in the front office that plan in the right direction, once this is done a team may be assembled.
Why was money spent on a defense that last year was one of the best in the league? The Offense was where the help was required.

10-19-2009 @ 11:10PM

bostarob said...

say it again, brotha!!

10-19-2009 @ 10:28PM

bgdgrt69 said...

alls i have 2 say is who cares go vikings lmao

10-19-2009 @ 10:53PM

i think if jerry offers him a job he'll take it over the skins. jerry is going to wake up and get out of the way. personaly i would like bill cowar or someone in there challange romo. but i do think its past time to look for a young qb.

10-19-2009 @ 11:34PM

megazoidia said...

Don't put senial al davis in that discussion, if it wasn't for him, if it was for al davis where would football be? simple as that.

why do people post comments in articles not related to their team, AND why are the comments always retarded?

the line is where things matter, and simply put, you cant do anything with the line we have, no depth, the only talent we have is old talent.

if anything the blame lies on vinny and danny boy for always drafting "the best player that's on their board, no matter position." when they have draft picks.

brian was a good solid pick, the best we've had in years, but why didn't we draft ALL OFFENSIVE LINE last year, we even picked up ANOTHER CORNER for no reason, pick didn't even make sense.

10-20-2009 @ 12:41AM

spikeritz said...

Smart move Mike...... Washington really sucks and your reasons are sound.... Good luck when you do return to coaching. In the mean time enjoy your paid vacation...

10-20-2009 @ 12:49AM

joecrpschrst said...

Ron couldn't have said it any better. As much as I'm a Cowboys fan, they'll FIND some way to screw it up. I have almost NO confidence in my team right now. It's the same BS man, HEY WASHINGTON, we'll give you WADE AND JASON FOR FREE!!!!

10-20-2009 @ 11:27AM

Matt -N- Starla said...

anyone to say they are cowboys fan and then talk shi t about them like you do, you are not a true blue you have to be with them at all times it dont matter if they only beat kc in overtime it still means they got the WIN