Offcial Jim Zorn New Head Coach Thread - Please post here

[Skinstwins]

Actually Snyder's team is a joke.


I'm saying 3 wins in 08.

Ha! Snyder had a panic attacj and convinced himself the absurd was brilliant.

[quote]

Come now... 3 Wins? Even so, it may take a year for the team to learn the new way. It took that long (and then some) when the Reverend Gibbs took over back in the day. He too was an untested, new head coach. Optimism, gentleman. Other than our cumulative disagreement with the possible hiring of Fossil (a few news outlets have reported that the Redskin's fan base might have had something to do with Fassell not being hired), we have no control over what this owner will ultimately decide. It's done... Rally 'round the flag, boys! Zorn might be precisely what we need. Here's hoping.

[SkinsJock]

If they expect Zorn to serve as HC and OC, then I think there is a problem.

I would imagine that that is the plan, and that is why I have a problem with this hire.

I am cautiously optimistic - I think this could be a great choice - just goes to show all those who were screaming about how bad things were going to be here - this guy could be really a big addition to our team - I have no idea why or how anyone could think that he would not be given support with running the offense - this is our new Head Coach - he will be getting whoever he needs to fire up this offense



This is a brilliant move in the face of so much skepticism - to see the supporting comments by Gibbs also proves that all those who thought Gibbs was no longer a part of the process know just a little more than the media who know zilch about how to make our team more competitive

great hire looking forward to seeing these guys on the field - this is going to be a fun team to watch this year.

[crazyhorse1]

If they expect Zorn to serve as HC and OC, then I think there is a problem.

I would imagine that that is the plan, and that is why I have a problem with this hire.

I am cautiously optimistic - I think this could be a great choice - just goes to show all those who were screaming about how bad things were going to be here - this guy could be really a big addition to our team - I have no idea why or how anyone could think that he would not be given support with running the offense - this is our new Head Coach - he will be getting whoever he needs to fire up this offense



This is a brilliant move in the face of so much skepticism - to see the supporting comments by Gibbs also proves that all those who thought Gibbs was no longer a part of the process know just a little more than the media who know zilch about how to make our team more competitive

great hire looking forward to seeing these guys on the field - this is going to be a fun team to watch this year.

This might be the first time in history the Head Coach is better that the 3rd string QB. If it doesn't work out as planned, the two can switch positions; or Zorn could save us the expense of a new backup just by staying in shape. He could also call the calls in the huddle and threaten to bench any body he wants while calling signals. Or, he could go up to the line under center and say, Hut one, hut two...any body who jumps too soon gets traded to Miami.

[CanesSkins26]

An interesting article on Zorn. Also gives some insight into what our offense could look like next season...

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Jim Zorn impresses people. There's no other way to explain his sudden emergence as the Redskins' head coach. People in the league knew Zorn was a good teacher, particularly of quarterbacks. But only after spending time with Zorn does a person realize what Redskins owner Daniel Snyder now knows: Zorn has lots of interesting ideas, he is enthusiastic about them and he is a persuasive person. Zorn grows on people.

I covered the Seahawks as a beat reporter from 1998 through the 2006 season. Zorn was there as quarterbacks coach beginning in 2001. You always needed some extra time if you were going to interview Zorn after practice because he would give such thorough, in-depth answers. He would also give you something a little off the wall sometimes, but if you saw him play the game as a left-handed scrambler, you weren't surprised.

The big question for the Redskins is whether there's enough of Jim Zorn to go around. Head coaches have to worry about so many things that go beyond what Zorn has proven to be good at: teaching and coaching. Head coaches are CEOs as much as anything.

As the Redskins' offensive coordinator, Zorn probably still could have taken a hands-on approach with Jason Campbell. As head coach, he is most likely going to need some help.

As one of Zorn's former co-workers put it to me this afternoon: "The best thing that happened to Jason was having Zorn named offensive coordinator and working with quarterbacks. The worst thing was Zorn being named head coach, because it will be harder for him to be as involved coaching the position."

Knowing Zorn, he's still going to be very involved with the quarterbacks. That is his identity. He played quarterback in the league and there isn't a more important position, so he'll still work with Campbell as much as anyone, I would think. Zorn won't have to worry about coaching the defense because Greg Blache is in place as the coordinator, so that helps.

Zorn will install an offense very similar to the one Mike Holmgren has run in Seattle. He would have an easier time doing this if he could to find another assistant or two who know this offense inside and out. Gary Reynolds, who recently followed Mike Sherman to Texas A&M, impressed everyone he came into contact with during his time on Holmgren's staff. He would be the type of person Zorn might find helpful in setting up his offense.

Holmgren's base offense features two backs, two receivers and a tight end. This is known as "regular" personnel in West Coast parlance. Seattle also leaned hard on its "E" personnel grouping with two running backs, three receivers and no tight end. They liked this group because the fullback allowed for running the ball, while the third receiver created mismatches against linebackers in the slot. "Zebra" (one back, three receivers, one tight end) and "Eagle" (four receivers) were also widely used groupings during Zorn's time in Seattle. The Redskins have different personnel and I would expect Zorn to tailor his personnel groupings accordingly.

Zorn's strength is coaching quarterbacks. He was a very good resource for Matt Hasselbeck during rough times in particular. Holmgren can be very harsh on quarterbacks. One of his all-time blowups came during halftime of a Seahawks loss at Washington. Zorn is competitive, but also a very pleasant person who doesn't even curse. His even keel balanced out the more combustible Holmgren. Zorn is a very enthusiastic, high-energy, hands-on guy. He is a hard worker. He is creative. He would take reps throwing 35-yard sideline passes during pregame warmups, something he'll presumably give up now he's the head guy.

The book on Zorn in Seattle was that he showed a great deal of improvement as a coach, becoming more organized. He is a Seattle guy at heart, but he also realized Seahawks coach-in-waiting Jim Mora would have his own candidates for offensive coordinator, so there was no way Zorn could pass up a three-year deal as coordinator in the other Washington. His decision was wiser and more lucrative than anyone could have imagined.

In addition to helping Hasselbeck go from struggling former sixth-round choice to Pro Bowl regular, Zorn was the assistant coach in charge of handling third-and-7 or longer. The Seahawks had some success in this area during his tenure, but their third-down offense struggled in general once Shaun Alexander hit a wall with injuries and the offensive line struggled.

There's a difference in being an idea guy with some input and being The Guy who runs everything. We won't know how well Zorn makes the transition until he's had a little time. If it doesn't work out, he can always go back to being a coordinator. The Redskins never lost a game when he held that title.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks/0-5-389/Enough-Zorn-to-go-around-.html

[Hooligan]

/headdesk

[tribeofjudah]

championship.......

Exactly. Listen ya'll.......... the Skins have fallen to the Hawks twice in recent years... during the playoffs.

We just stole one of their key staff members. Key, you ask? Yes, I believe he had much to do with the success of the Hawks. He was also a calming force for the "volcanic" Holmgren.

Some people in the know....believe that Zorn has many of the same characteristics as Gibbs.

Let's give the man a chance........... as Zorn said, "I won't let you down."

This move has the thumbs up from Hasselbeck, Dilfer and .....yes, Joe Gibbs thinks this was a good move too......

[HEROHAMO]

Actually Snyder's team is a joke.

No way Zorn makes sense. He was a QB coach on a team run by a very strong personality. He has NEVER lead an offense much less a team. That makes no sense in a division with the SB champ, a 13-3 team, and the resurgent Eagles.

By the way, if you think this is a good idea you're basing that on hope but not fact. You want to believe. Well, that's what Skins fans do in the offseason - we believe - we follow every move and talk about how it will make the team better - finally - so go ahead and believe. But the facts aren't there to say he'll be a good offensive coordinator much less a head coach.

I'm saying 3 wins in 08.

Ha! Snyder had a panic attacj and convinced himself the absurd was brilliant.

You are right. But hey you have to take some chances. No risk no reward.

Oh and by the way Eddie Van Halen is the greatest guitarist of all time. Zakk is up there too.

[Snout]

More damned if you do, damned if you don't.

If Snyder goes after a big name high priced head coach with a successful record, fans bitch that he hasn't learned his lesson.

If Snyder goes after a guy with head coaching experience and a so-so record, fans bitch that he is hiring a retread.

If Snyder hires a well-respected assistant who has been recognized as a potential head coaching candidate, fans bitch that he has no head coaching experience.

I guess this is inevitable given that Snyder's last decision to bring back Gibbs was universally applauded, but the final results were also universally lower than fan expectations.

Remember that when Jack Kent Cooke hired Joe Gibbs, a lot of fans were scratching their heads and saying "Huh?"

The decision to hire Zorn might be a homerun. It might be a strikeout. It is too early to tell. There is way too much venom among the fans right now, and there is no excuse for it.

[Redskin in Canada]

Let me start by making two points:

1) I am very grateful to Danny the Clown and his sidekick, or I am very grateful to J. Fassel (depending on whom you believe). Either side saved this franchise from a disaster year and yet another cycle of hopelessness and despair. That hiring was going to be an unmitigated disaster. So, whether the dynamic duo saw the light or Fassel in the end decided in a dignified manner to withdraw his name and left them hanging, I do not care. It was not going to work.

2) WHOEVER the next coach is, and now we know, deserves the benefit of our support under close scrutiny and a watchful eye. I will support Zorn.

HOWEVER, the obvious cannot be overlooked:

One more think to note. Since Gibbs has retired, the Skins have hired a head coach with zero experience as a coordinator or head coach. A defensive line coach with zero NFL experience. A defensive coordinator who was contemplating retirement, hasn't been a defensive coordinator in a number of years, and wasn't a very good one in his last stint.

I hope that the fans are ready for an investment and rebuilding project for at least three years before we see a new system and good results in place.

Perhaps moost importantly, I hope Danny the Clown having made this investment into the FUTURE has the patience to wait that long. I am not optimistic of course. He already squandered a great investment in the staff that was let go over the last month or so.

Having said all of the above, I am SURE that Zorn was not their guy. Everybody knows that. So we are only left to speculate who turned them down and for what reasons. I have to say that whoever the person and whatever the circumstances, it was the right thing to do. A dignified individual does not allow his name to be dragged into the mud for that long without any input on your assistant coaches and hiring decisions.

Danny the Clown and Vinny the Sidekick wanted a WEAK coach whom they are able to manipulate in any way they wish. Well they had to search deep into the assistants of assistants to find somebody hopefully with talent but willing to accept ANY conditions imposed by these two.

It is a HUGE gamble. I will not prejudge Zorn. I ask you to please do not condem a man without a fair chance. It does not look good due to the process but the MAN may turn out to be a decent HC perhaps after his tenure here.

A lot of his potential success may ride in the competence of the choice for OC. A young HC needs experienced assistants to help him out.

How great and much less of a gamble does G. Williams look like now?

[Gnome]

First, I agree Eddie VH is tops in the gtr field. I still remember the day I heard eruption the first time, I couldn't imagine how he was making those sounds, and I wore out the needle on my record player playing it over and over. Zakk shreds and is the only metal guitar hero left who writes guitar first songs (maybe slash too) and just plays from his gut. Check out Blessed Hellride by BLS for some of his best work for those of you interested.

Okay. Zorn may be a Saint. But this hire isn't about Zorn. It's about who told Snyder and his pet monkey Vinny "No". Sure Zorn may turn out to be a Genius. But that means Snyder and Vinny have the ability to see something in a football person THAT NO ONE else in the entire league can see. So they suddenly became Bobby B. like in their ability? Great. Happpy days are here again! I think they got burned, exhausted, and did something absurd that is so absurd you can paint whatever picture you want onto it - Zorn is the next Gibbs or Zorn is the next Bart Starr. Either way, it's better than Fassel, Mooch, or Meeks - we knew where those hires were going to be 8-8 for a decade - and with Zorn we can let our eternal Skins optimism run wild - at least until Romo, Manning, and Mcnabb come calling.

The truth is the Skins are starting over and as stated in earlier posts by Cane and Canada, they're starting with guys who either have no track record or a shaky track record. My gut says 3 and 13. My heart says Miracle.

As for Venom. It's better to vent than to hold it in and it's better to be pragmatic than a homer IMO. And the 'Venom' on this board helped keep Fassel away from Ashburn.

Anyway, at least this hire is entertaining. So . . . Coach Zorn welcome to the toughest job you'll ever have, the stage is yours, I'm going to start thinking Miracle - please deliver!

[El Mexican]

I kinda like the move.

Nothing to lose.

Young guy with a nice background on the offensive side.

I´ve said all along that this team needs to start making new memories, new myths. With Zorn you get that. No need to compare his (hopefully) future success here with what he had in previous teams. Same goes for failures.

Forget the PR disaster this was starting to turn into.

Here´s hoping...

[cleg]

I like it. It may be a horrible hire but he could be a very good coach. At least The Danny did not go with a re-tread and the fruit from the Holgram tree has been successful around the league - Gruden, Reid, Mooch, etc.

[floridaskinsfan]

I hope this works out. We do need an OC with a lot of experience now. Win or lose next year Danny needs to stay committed to this guy for a few years. If he is just waiting until Cowher is available next year and fires Zorn after one year, we can expect all new players and that, to me, would definitely sound like "rebuilding"

[SkinsFreak]

"I introduced Jim to Jason Campbell and now I kind of regret it," Hasselbeck said. "It was before the playoff game in Seattle and Jim was standing there with me and I introduced them. They hit it off. They just stood there and talked and talked. Usually when I'm warming up Jim is there talking to me, but instead he was standing there with Jason."

Check out some of the Seahawks message boards and you'll see how much he is respected, liked and now missed in Seattle. The more I learn about Zorn, the more I like him. It has been noted by those that know him best, that he possesses many characteristics and qualities Gibbs exudes, and that is great for Skin fans.

I think Zorn has a fire burning in him to succeed. In retrospect, I'm really happy they didn't go with one of the other candidates, just because a few of them had prior head coaching experience. Gibbs didn't have that before he came to Washington and the endless carousel of the same head coaches going to different teams sucks. This is a new direction and one I think the Skins needed. Our offense and QB will be much improved. I fully support this decision and will throw my full support for the Z-Man.

[LetsRollBurgundyNGold]

Either way, it's better than Fassel, Mooch, or Meeks - we knew where those hires were going to be 8-8 for a decade - and with Zorn we can let our eternal Skins optimism run wild - at least until Romo, Manning, and Mcnabb come calling.

I would disagree with including Meeks in that statement. I thought he might actually be a solid hire. No he doesn't have head coaching experience, but he's been a DCoord. for 6 six years with tangible results of improvement. In some respects, it might have been a better fit, Meeks wasn't going to step on Zorn's toes, which would have allowed him to stay creative and still focus on JC's development, and would have brought in some principles on D to assist Blache but would have the time to focus on doing all of the HC duties since he had experience backing him up there.

Neither here nor there, I'll give Zorn a chance. The thing that makes a lot of us angry is the look of buffoonery that permeated throughout the search. I, for one, was hopeful Gibbs' influence might have put an end to us fans having to suffer through that, but alas, it is not to be.

[DINO]

Just to add comment , in an interview that K-J did with Matt Hasselbeck for comcast sportsnet his statement was when asked about the Zorn hiring " I think he"ll make a great O-coordinater , he should have been a head couch by now ".

[Cappster]

Optimism Alert!





I feel like some fresh blood will do us some good. We now have a HC that has A LOT to prove. I am sure he has been chomping at the bit for an opportunity like the one he has here. I believe everything happens for a reason (hopefully a good one). Maybe this is the guy that can take the talent we have and light a fire under their butt. Every single player on this team has to "earn" the new coaches respect. There is no comfort level so, hopefully, everyone plays as if their job is in jeopardy.

Giving Zorn the job may prove to be one of the best moves in the league this year. At least he has been coaching under Holmgren so the guy knows how to win. Look at how Tomlinson took the Steelers to the playoffs in his first year. Who had ever heard of Tomlinson being toted as being a "prime pick" when he was named head coach?

I am excited to see what can happen next season. I think Zorn will mold his offense to the type of players we have and what they do best. We need an aggressive play calling coach because that is what the league has turned into nowadays. Fresh blood, aggressive coaching, and new ideas may equal newfound success.

[John Manfreda]

This guy has never called a play in the NFL, expect growing pains. I am not saying he won't be good, but with this guy there will be a maturation process.

[IamHypp]

After weeks of speculation, our search for a head coach has finally ended with Jim Zorn. That's right skins fans, Jim (freakin) Zorn, does anybody have an idea why we would hire a guy with no head coaching experience? This guy wasn't even an offensive coordinator for God's Sake!!!, and here he is on the verge of coaching one of the most prominent franchises in the NFL. Say what you want, but to me this decision further proves that, Dan Snyder is intent on singlehandlely destroying our franchise. Ok!! so that statement maybe hyperbole, but honestly every decision he has made since he became owner of the skins has been detrimental to the team. Just take a look at the past 10 years he's been owner of the team, Coach after Coach and player after player have donned the illustrious burgundy and gold, and what is there to show for it 3 playoff appearances, no division titles, and most importantly no SB RINGS. Please, do us all favor Dan and step down as owner and let Joe Gibbs purchase the team from you.

[SkinsFreak]

Who had ever heard of Tomlinson being toted as being a "prime pick" when he was named head coach?

Actually, I've never heard of Tomlinson, but I've heard of Tomlin.

Zorn becomes the 5th QB coach under Holgrem to earn a head coaching position.

I am excited to see what can happen next season. I think Zorn will mold his offense to the type of players we have and what they do best. We need an aggressive play calling coach because that is what the league has turned into nowadays. Fresh blood, aggressive coaching, and new ideas may equal newfound success.

I absolutely agree with that. As much as we loved Gibbs, I think a lot of us were growing impatient with the conservative approach, as it appeared to have lost us at least four games last year and numerous games in the years prior.

[SkinsFreak]

In addition to helping Hasselbeck go from struggling former sixth-round choice to Pro Bowl regular, Zorn was the assistant coach in charge of handling third-and-7 or longer.

That indicates he was calling plays, and the most difficult ones at that.

[hogproud]

Let's cut Dan Snyder a little slack. In the past he's had a one-track mind when it comes to the head coaching search and usually zeroed in on the big name without even considering anybody else. We all know how that turned outl.

This time around he was deliberate and expanded the search to try and find the best possible guy for the job (regardless of sex appeal).

So, I for one, want to stand up and say that I am very pleased with this choice. I was skeptical throughout the process because I was just not feeling the Jim Fassel thing and thought that Snyder was reverting back to the "big name" syndrome that has plagued him in the past (see: steve spurrier).

I love this fresh, out of the box hire and am excited about the potential and up-side. Look at it this way: some of the most amazing coaching jobs were delivered by relative unknowns on their first head coaching experience that initially got little fan-fare or excitement from the fans.

We all know about that Joe Gibbs guy...but how about Phil Jackson in Chicago back in 1989? Jeff Fisher?? Jack Del Rio has done a nice job in Jacksonville. I think Gary Kubiak is on the right track in Houston.

What do all these people (besides Gibbs) have in common? They were ex-players. I don't think you can understimate the importance of being a successful NFL player when it comes to relating to the guys you're coaching. It's obviously not necessary (see: Gibbs) but I do think it's a nice feather in Zorn's cap.

I'm on board and support Zorn one-hundred percent...I think everyone on this board will start feeling the same way beginning with his press conference. Once you see and hear this guy...you'll be sold. He's a class act and a great face for this franchise.

[SkinsJock]

Who had ever heard of Tomlinson being toted as being a "prime pick" when he was named head coach?

Actually, I've never heard of Tomlinson, but I've heard of Tomlin.
Zorn becomes the 5th QB coach under Holgrem to earn a head coaching position.

I am excited to see what can happen next season. I think Zorn will mold his offense to the type of players we have and what they do best. We need an aggressive play calling coach because that is what the league has turned into nowadays. Fresh blood, aggressive coaching, and new ideas may equal newfound success.

I absolutely agree with that. As much as we loved Gibbs, I think a lot of us were growing impatient with the conservative approach, as it appeared to have lost us at least four games last year and numerous games in the years prior.

I agree also - there were just not many guys that Snyder was going to give the job to and maybe not many that really wanted the job under the circumstances as outlined during the interview process. The end result is a bit of a risk but I think there is a lot of upside and I'm certainly glad we did not end up with Fassel or Spagnuolo. Fassel is just not good enough and Blache does not need Spagnuolo to help him continue the good work begun by Williams with Blache's assistance.

The Redskins lose Gibbs and need a HC - Snyder wants a HC that will continue with what Gibbs started - Williams is obvious but he does not make the cut - others are interviewed and Zorn wows Snyder, according to Gibbs "Zorn interviewed so well that I think he might be a good HC" A list of candidates is put together and finally completed with Williams being ruled out BUT Blache is given the DC job that ensures a seamless transition on D maybe even an upgrade. Danny Smith is retained as ST coach, more continuity. After all the interviews, nobody has been offered the job This also means that despite the media "rumors" nobody turned the job down

Zorn is offered the job and takes it - we all know that means that he also accepted the conditions of having less control than a lot of HCs want BUT that was not happening here anyway - we did not end up getting a coach that might divide the players and coaches - Zorn has a lot of upside and he will be given a lot of support by the players and coaches and he will benefit from low expectations by many but, in my opinion he will also be very motivated to help our offense be better because that is his forte.

Not a great coach yet but we could have ended up with bigger question marks in my opinion.


PLUS - Snyder got somebody that when (OR if) he becomes a success, a lot of naysayers will have to admit was because Snyder took a chance on a coach that has not officially called a play in the NFL - gotta love it

[SkinsJock]

Is it just me or does this guy remind you of Unitas??

[SkinsFreak]

For those concerned about his experience....

Zorn called plays as a starting NFL QB for eleven years. Zorn called plays as the offensive coordinator at Utah State, ey's alma mater by the way. From recent reports, Zorn was instrumental in designing plays for Mike Holgem and is credited for his contributions with regard to play design in meetings. The reports also indicate Zorn at least called or designed the plays in Seattle in situations on 3rd and 7 or longer, by far, the most difficult plays to call or design.

By comparison, Jason Garrett in Dallas went from being a QB coach in Miami to the Pies' offensive coordinator in 2007. Garrett never called a play in the NFL before accepting the OC position in Dallas. There are numerous other examples of this as well, so it does happen.

So I think Zorn has more experience than some recognize and more overall experience when compared to some of his competitors around the league.

One other thing I like about Zorn. Zorn is 54 years old but he's a young 54 at that. He's in great shape, runs around, throws a lot with the players, is extremely hands-on and gets involved physically. Can't say that about guys like Reid, Parcels or even Gibbs.