Offcial Jim Zorn New Head Coach Thread - Please post here

[UK Skins Fan]

Once the shock wore off, I decided that I like this move. It may go wrong, but I'd rather have things go wrong while "taking a risk" on Zorn, than if we were "playing safe" with Fassel. I assume that he isn't going to be Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach, so I expect somebody else will be joining the coaching staff in some capacity.

I can't help myself - I'm always optimistic when a new HC comes to town.

[chiefhog44]

thank the good man above that Fassel is not coming to town... I really like the move, even better than keeping Williams here, and hope we see him here for along time. He could be really good. Hopefully DS won't judge him based on one years performance. He'll have a learning curve.

Patience Dan, patience PLEASE!

[CanesSkins26]

Patience Dan, patience PLEASE!

Patience is going to be the key to this. I don't really like that an inexperienced guy like Zorn is going to be asked to learn how to be an OC and a HC at the same time, but he is an excellent coach so IF Dan gives him the time to grow in this position this could turn out to be a very good hire. But it is Snyder that we are talking about, and an established guy like Saunders was only given two years to implement his offense so it's going to be interesting to see what happens if we go 6-10 next season and Cowher is out there.

[CanesSkins26]

Zorn press conference:

Wants to keep the running game the same. Same terminology.

Will hire an offensive coordinator. Wouldn't go into details about who he would hire.

Doesn't see the team as being in a rebuilding process.

Said he was taken back when Snyder asked him if he wanted to interview for the HC vacancy.

His offense will resemble the West Coast offense. Taking shots. Rhythm passing attack.

In this offense you need a great inside receiver. Hoping that ARE will excel.

Has had minimal contact with the players.

Snyder:

Surprised/saddened that Joe retired.

The search had 10 real candidates.


More was said, but the only local network covering it was Fox and they just stopped their broadcast to go back to Nascar coverage. Hopefully Comcast will rebroadcast the entire news conference later on.

[Sir_Monk]

I am listening to Zorn talk about Campbell and what he wants to do with his progression.

If he will be a winner is yet to be seen, but he talks a good game and has me fired up.

[SKINFAN]

So they hire him as OC and then fall in love with him...hmmm. I don't realy know what to think. I'll support him though, and hope for the best.

About the only thing we can do right now. WOW! I'm supashocked... I thought it was mooch for sure.

[CanesSkins26]

More Details On The Hiring

Jim Zorn, new head coach, will be calling plays, directing the offense, working hands on with Jason Campbell as the primary voice directing the young QB, league sources said. That's a lot of hats to wear for anyone, much less a first time head coach. That's the primary word of caution and concern around the league, including from many coaches and execs who worked with Zorn and like him very much.

Zorn got a five-year deal, in essence, but league sources said it is actually three years guaranteed with two club options after that.

The origins of Zorn's emergence is in the demise of Steve Spagnuolo. The Redskins had concerns about Spagnuolo's readiness to be a head coach, sources said - though Spagnuolo had none on his end contrary to some reports - and thought he was not as prepared to answer some things as they had hoped. Spagnuolo did however, constantly talk about the strength of the Mike Holmgren family tree, how Andy Reid went from QB coach to head coach, how guys like Mariucci shined out of that tree before. It kept coming up, and when Spagnuolo pulled out, it resonated with them.

Cerrato also has strong ties to Zorn and was a big proponent of his. He pushed for him, league sources said. Zorn was Vinny's guy. Snyder and Cerrato discussed promoting Greg Blache, the DC, or Zorn on Wednesday in the wake of Spags pulling out (not saying he would have got the job), and being left back where they began - with Fassel as the leader among the guys they had interviewed.

They started interviewing Zorn for the head coaching job Thursday - he was stunned by their offer and the Redskins had never considered him a head coach prior to that according to numerous sources who have spoken to Snyder and Cerrato - and he became their guy, at the end, after 30-odd days during which he was not in the mix

I continue to hear that league sources believe the Redskins will try to get Tennessee assistant Sherman Smith to be the OC under Zorn, but Smith recently signed a three-year contract, and there will have to be some talks between the Skins and Titans about that. They could turn to other options as well but he and Zorn are very close.

Zorn is also expected to hire a younger, cheaper coach to be an assistant QB coach or sorts, league sources said, perhaps someone in the college ranks right now.

Also, though Earnest Byner did in fact go to Redskins Park to sign his contract last week - the one-year offer that was on the table - league sources said the team then balked at him. The Redskins are trying to land Seattle RB Coach Stump Mitchell to do that job here, league sources said, and he too is close to Zorn and has worked with him for many years. The Redskins would like to convince the Seahawks to do a coaching swap of sorts, with Byner landing in Seattle (all of this, again, is ridiculously unfair to Byner,) with Mitchell going here and Byner going there.

Former Redskins QB coach Bill Lazor already landed in Seattle last week, signing a contract to replace Zorn as the QB coach there, league sources said.

Also, I heard from league sources that Snyder put out the word that all of the assistant coaches had to be present today- to show their support you know, no matter of what they might really think - and all were to wear Redskins golf shirts (all important wardrobe decisions).

They flew Joe Gibbs in for the big announcement, and he will, I'm sure, continue to operate as a rubber stamp for the organization and will undoubtedly give his public support to this bizarre 32-day saga, despite his hand picked choice being run out of town amid false rumors leaked by the team, and a bevy of his assistants being gone, and the idea of "continuity" being harder and harder to sell as the staff continues to be overturned and the players learn another new offense.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/2008/02/more_details_on_the_hiring.html

[SkinsFreak]

Also, I heard from league sources that Snyder put out the word that all of the assistant coaches had to be present today- to show their support you know, no matter of what they might really think - and all were to wear Redskins golf shirts (all important wardrobe decisions).

Like he has any idea what the other assistants think. JLC makes me sick. What a loser. It's obvious JLC still hasn't gotten over the ridicule, teasing and abuse he sustained as a child by the cool kids for being such a dork and a twit. He was an outcast then and still is. Get over it, Chicken Little.

[Gnome]

Anybody see the Q&A part of Zorn's introduction? Espn news just showed his 'speach'. He came off as a guy who isn't used to being the 'guy' at a podium and a bit like a guy who was plucked off the street - not smooth - but that's not important if he can coach football. Sometimes I felt like Gibbs was too good at the mich for his own good - he wasn't so good his first go around. But Zorn seemed a bit bewildered and unprepared at times. Did he handle the Q&A well?

It really brought home that Snyder just hired a guy with ZERO experience. What's scary is that Snyder and Vinny are his mentors. He needs and old guy on his staff to help him with the ropes. Still can't believe that GW wasn't a better option and already bleeding burgundy and gold (not the maroon and black that Zorn referenced - cringe)

[skinsfan#33]

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.

Some people on this site act like the Skins had just come SB win an had been perennial playoff contestants before Snyder took over. The plain simple fact is in the 6 years under Cooke after Gibbs left the first time:
- the team had not made the playoffs once!
- had two seasons w/a winning record 9-7 and 8-7-1
Yes, the team's problems started WAY BEFORE Snyder.

In the first year under Snyder the team won the division and made the playoffs and went three season before having a losing record.

I know people will say that the division win came with players Casserly acquired, but the simple fact is Norv had 5 years under Cooke and Casserly to make the playoffs and didn't. it wasn't until he feared for his job that he made the playoffs.

I give Snyder a pass on the two Spurrier years, because most people thought SS would make a good HC and win.

Four years under Gibbs the Skins had two winning season and went to the playoffs twice.

So, PLEASE people, for a new owner the guy isn't doing bad. He has done as well (even better than Cooke / Casserly) w/o Gibbs.

Do I like some of the stuff he does? Of course not, but he is by no means the buffoon most people make him out to be!

Anyone that say that they know for a fact that he offered the Skins job to anyone else is flat out fabricating stuff. He could have wanted to hire Zorn the first time he spoke to him, but stuck to his plan of interviewing everyone on his list.

Gibbs confirmed that Snyder thought Zorn was HC material before he ever hired him as the OC.

Is the story that Gibbs and Snyder tell, the truth? I don't know --- and neither does ANYONE on the site!

How about we give Zorn our support and a chance! Heck, Lane Kiffin was a joke of a hire for the Raiders, but you know what the team was better under him than they were under Art Shell.

[DarthMonk]

Jimmy Crat Zorn.

Zorn to be bad.

The Zorning After.

Hard Core Zorn.

Child Zorn

Zornpgraphic

Honk if you're Zorny

Early in the Zornin'

Rip Zorn

Well Zorn

Oh ... and Coah Jim Zorn

DarthMonk

[DarthMonk]

plus here is what shawn springs said, who played for seattle with zorn...

"How Gregg (Williams) was organized, that's how they were organized on the offensive side of the ball in Seattle. They're going to be aggressive on offense; they're not going to clam up. They're going to continue to push to score."

Darn! Keep trying to score? That really sucks!

DarthMonk

[SkinsFreak]

And I'll just add that while a few morons like JLC want to critzice Dan over the process, character guys in the industry, like Gibbs and Roger Goodall, applauded Snyder's diligence and told him to stay the course. Snyder said Roger and Joe called him almost every day. Now that the facts are coming out, it does appear that Snyder fully conducted a thorough and fair process, and that process and outcome was sanctioned by Gibbs. I think many folks twisted things way out of proportion.

[Jake]

First things first. Dude needs to know our team colors. He said we wear maroon and black and he or someone else said yellow.

It's at the 13:15 mark of "Zorn Press Conference" on Redskins.com TV.

[spenser]

First things first. Dude needs to know our team colors. He said we wear maroon and black and he or someone else said yellow.

It's at the 13:15 mark of "Zorn Press Conference" on Redskins.com TV.

I saw that too! Whoops! Its all good though. I did like how he called DS Dan, and not Mr. Snyder though.

Time to get Zorny Baby!

[old-timer]

And I'll just add that while a few morons like JLC want to critzice Dan over the process, character guys in the industry, like Gibbs and Roger Goodall, applauded Snyder's diligence and told him to stay the course. Snyder said Roger and Joe called him almost every day. Now that the facts are coming out, it does appear that Snyder fully conducted a thorough and fair process, and that process and outcome was sanctioned by Gibbs. I think many folks twisted things way out of proportion.

Is that you, Vinny?

Seriously, after 8 years of bumbling, failure, and mediocrity under Dan Snyder (and 8 years of inexplicably blind faith from people like SkinsFreak), what once looked like mere incompetence is now bordering on the humourous. Jim Zorn as Head Coach? LOL!

[LOSTHOG]

First things first. Dude needs to know our team colors. He said we wear maroon and black and he or someone else said yellow.

It's at the 13:15 mark of "Zorn Press Conference" on Redskins.com TV.

Maybe this one ebay is closer than I thought

[LOSTHOG]

I just wonder if Zorn will have any say in personnel issues. If he says this guy doesn't fit our system do we keep them or is Danny going to say make you system fit who I say plays here?

[Gibbs4Life]

OMG listen to this guy talk, ladies and gentlemen vinny cerrato is our head coach.
This guy is soo boring, why is he giving his life story, I want to know how he plans to use our personnel. He makes Lane Kiffin sound like Dennis Green.

[SkinsFreak]

Seriously, after 8 years of bumbling, failure, and mediocrity under Dan Snyder (and 8 years of inexplicably blind faith from people like SkinsFreak), what once looked like mere incompetence is now bordering on the humourous. Jim Zorn as Head Coach? LOL!

Some old-timers said the same thing when Andy Reid and Steve Mariucci went from QB coach straight to head coach. Perhaps if you became more educated about Zorn, you might understand why they went with him. But I understand old dogs can't learn new tricks.

So after all the interviews, consultations with those that knew him and checking references, they simply concluded Zorn was the best man for the job and seems to have the most potential and upside. I like the choice. If you don't, oh well, Zorn IS the new head coach.

BTW - Blind faith? Yeah, I'm the one with cataracts.

[old-timer]

Seriously, after 8 years of bumbling, failure, and mediocrity under Dan Snyder (and 8 years of inexplicably blind faith from people like SkinsFreak), what once looked like mere incompetence is now bordering on the humourous. Jim Zorn as Head Coach? LOL!

Some old-timers said the same thing when Andy Reid and Steve Mariucci went from QB coach straight to head coach. Perhaps if you became more educated about Zorn, you might understand why they went with him. But I understand old dogs can't learn new tricks.

So after all the interviews, consultations with those that knew him and checking references, they simply concluded Zorn was the best man for the job and seems to have the most potential and upside. I like the choice. If you don't, oh well, Zorn IS the new head coach.

BTW - Blind faith? Yeah, I'm the one with cataracts.

SkinsFreak, you're so in-the-tank for Snyder, your posts cannot even be taken seriously. No doubt, after 8 more years of failure, you'll still be spouting the same mindless happy talk. Real fans don't sit there spouting nonsense like yours. If there's a problem we face it, and Snyder is a HUGE problem. He's meddling owner who wants to play GM football fantasy league with real people and so far, like all amateurs, he's a loser at it. He ended up with Jim Zorn because all the qualified people told him and Vinny the Rat to go take their tinker toys and go fly a kite.

[SkinsFreak]

I'm throwing my support for Zorn. And yes, how absurd of me to support my team. But thanks for your 2 cents, which is about all that was worth. Whatever...

[old-timer]

I'm throwing my support for Zorn. But thanks for your 2 cents, which is about all that was worth. Whatever...

Yeah, fine. You should just preface all your posts with the admission that you have no ability to think critically about Dan Snyder and his horde of yes-men headed by Vinny the Rat and Karl Swanson (the only things perennially in common with Redskins failure), and how you will just mindlessly hope for success after every failed season.

[Snout]

To all the know-it-all Monday morning quarterbacks who continually slam Snyder, please answer this question: How many of the following head coaching decisions did you oppose at the time they were made:

(i) The decision to give Norv one more chance and bring in veteran free agents to give the team an extra boost?
(ii) The decision to fire Norv before the season end
(iii) The decision to name Terry Robiskie as interim head coach
(iv) The decision to hire Schottenheimer and turn over full control to "a guy who knows football"
(v) The decision to fire Schottenheimer when he would not give up control over personnel decisions
(vi) The decision to hire Ball Coach
(vii) The decision to hire Gibbs

The only decisions I disagreed with at the time they were made are (v) and (vi) -- and that still means I agreed with almost all of the decisions. I think I am doing better than most of the critics here. If memory serves me correctly just about all of Washington was ready to run Marty out of town and embrace Ball Coach like mindless lemmings. And now like mindless hypocrits you look back and slam Snyder for not knowing what he was doing. But did you or didn't you support the decision at the time and under the circumstances?

[SKINS#1]

Good post by skinsfan#33, DS has been willing to spend the bucks to bring a winner to DC and who knows if Zorn is a good choice? Other QB coaches have moved into the HC position with success. In fact, JG first HC position was with the Redskins. At this point in time, we all should support the decision and hope he stays for the 5 yrs.