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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 03807.html

By Jason Reid and Jason La Canfora
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, January 16, 2008; Page E03

Washington Redskins assistant coach Gregg Williams met with management about the team's head coaching position for the fourth time yesterday, taking another step in a process that many NFL sources expect will end with him succeeding Joe Gibbs.

Although owner Daniel Snyder still is scheduled to interview candidates from outside the organization this week -- including former Atlanta Falcons head coach Jim Mora -- as part of the process to find Gibbs's successor, Williams, Washington's assistant head coach-defense the last four seasons, remained the front-runner after his lengthy formal interview at Snyder's home Monday and another productive session with management yesterday, NFL executives said. Williams has interacted well with Snyder and team executives in numerous meetings since Gibbs unexpectedly resigned as coach and team president on Jan. 8, league sources said, moving forward in a search that could be completed soon.

Snyder and Gibbs, serving as a consultant to the owner, have stressed the importance of continuity as they search for a leader for the organization -- and Snyder's sixth coach since buying the team in 1999. Hiring Williams would best ensure that the Redskins maintain the stability from last season's playoff finish, several NFL executives and agents said. Williams, the only candidate under consideration among the current coaching staff, has strong support of Washington's coaches and players, and many in the organization said promoting Williams would be best for them after Gibbs walked away from the Redskins for the second -- and presumably final -- time.

Williams served as head coach in Buffalo from 2001 to 2003 and also was a successful defensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans. "I know how he is as a head coach, I know how he is as a person," said middle linebacker London Fletcher, who played under Williams in Buffalo in the 2002 and 2003 seasons. "He brings a presence. Gregg is very demanding, not only of himself but also of his players and coaches. He's detail-oriented. He's extremely meticulous about his structure . . . making sure we know everything that's going on."

The Redskins, however, remain interested in speaking with Mora, the Seattle Seahawks' assistant head coach, and Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Ron Meeks. Mora is scheduled to interview today and Meeks plans to speak with Snyder tomorrow.

Mora had a record of 26-22 in three seasons with the Falcons. In 2004, Mora's first season as Atlanta's head coach, the Falcons reached the NFC championship game. But the team slipped to 8-8 and missed the playoffs in 2005, and Mora was fired after the Falcons finished 7-9 (they started 5-2) and again failed to reach the postseason in 2006.

This season, Mora coached Seattle's defensive backs.

If Seahawks Coach Mike Holmgren retires, Mora would be considered for the job, league sources said.

Indianapolis recently granted permission for the Redskins to meet with Meeks as well as Colts assistant head coach Jim Caldwell, who oversees Indianapolis's offense and quarterbacks. But Caldwell, who league sources said would be a top candidate to lead the Colts if Coach Tony Dungy retires, apparently is not currently involved with the Redskins.

Contacted yesterday, Meeks declined comment about his upcoming interview. Meeks just completed his sixth season as the Colts' defensive coordinator. Indianapolis ranked third in the league in total defense this season and was second against the pass.

The Redskins have yet to interview a minority candidate in accordance with the league's Rooney Rule, according to a source familiar with the search process. The rule stipulates that clubs must interview at least one minority candidate for head coaching vacancies. Caldwell, who has interviewed for several coaching openings this offseason, and Meeks would meet that stipulation.

Redskins Note: Former Redskins teammates Darrell Green, Art Monk and Russ Grimm were among the 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, it was announced yesterday.

Green and Cris Carter made the list of finalists in their first year of Hall of Fame eligibility. Four to seven enshrinees will be elected by the media members who serve as selectors during a Feb. 2 meeting in Phoenix.

The other modern-era finalists are former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue and former players Fred Dean, Richard Dent, Randy Gradishar, Ray Guy, Bob Kuechenberg, Randall McDaniel, Andre Reed, Derrick Thomas, Andre Tippett and Gary Zimmerman.

Staff writer Mark Maske contributed to this report.

why? seems like a done deal.

Four interviews?

Are these really interviews or are Gregg and Dan just having lunch together?

Four interviews seems excessive.

Mora's a joke....Give GW the job and move on with it...

Skinsfan55 wrote:Four interviews?

Are these really interviews or are Gregg and Dan just having lunch together?

Four interviews seems excessive.

Why would anyone care how many interviews GW gets?

It's equally likely that the Danny has made his decision, and is using these meetings to get actual work done. As a practical matter, he can't make an announcement until he has complied with the arbitrary "Rooney rule", but that doesn't mean he needs to sit on his hands, does it?

Countertrey wrote:Why would anyone care how many interviews GW gets?

Good point, although the Post needs a provocative headline every day to sell newspapers.

Snyder has interviewed candidates on multiple occasions before. And he didn't interview Joe Gibbs at all (with public knowledge) before hiring him four years ago. He probably just begged Joe to come back....

Bringing Gibbs back was Danny's final tribute for his father who idolized Gibbs. Pretty simple, two birds with one stone. Bring HoF coach back to save the day and tribute to Dannydaddy.

Skinsfan55 wrote:Four interviews?

Are these really interviews or are Gregg and Dan just having lunch together?

Four interviews seems excessive.

From an AP article....

Williams has met with Snyder four times about the job, but that is largely a byproduct of logistics. Coaches who travel from out of town are granted longer interviews, while Williams' sessions have been shorter and not all have been in what would be considered a formal interview setting.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3200485

I think its safe to say their "going steady" now.

If this was just about Snyder wanting to comply with the Rooney rule he could have interviewed Greg Blatche, Gregg Williams, and Al Saunders and been done with it.

He's doing what he should do. Putting out feelers, planting seeds for a year or two from now when he's looking for a coach again. Williams is going to be hired, and he should be. But Williams isn't going to be around for the next three or four years. He's going to be on a short leash.

HardDawg wrote:Mora's a joke....Give GW the job and move on with it...

I could see Snyder getting on well with Mora. JLC wrote yesterday:

lot of word spreading around the league of how impressed Snyder was with Mora.

And also:

One thing to watch in all of this is the role of Vinny Cerrato as well. Vinny is pretty tight with Mora - they worked together in San Fran - while there is not a close bond between Williams and Cerrato in any way. So they'll mull this thing over for a few days, and we'll see what they really think of the current coaching staff and roster by their actions when they name a new guy.

We can only guess about what goes on behind the scenes. We don't really know the personalities of any of these guys.

they worked together in San Fran

Anyone know how successful they were??

Mora Jr. did have some success in Atlanta. He had an over .500 record as a head coach, after all.

Bram is similarly reporting on his blog that the rumor circulating among reporters is that Gregg Williams is not on the inside track for the job.

Given what we're hearing about Jim Mora, I just want to say one thing. (And I have to qualify it by saying that I don't know what's going on behind the scenes, obviously.)

Here it is: Who would you rather have as a head coach after losing Gibbs:

(1) A man who apparently impressed Snyder quite a bit in his interview, who is also very tight with Vinny Cerrato. . .with reports that they "work well" together.

(2) A man who every player in the building seems to be lobbying for, openly saying that he is their preferred choice.




I must say that I'm a little scared. I always hated Mora's arrogant swagger when he coached with the Falcons. I thought he did a classless thing in essentially ditching Atlanta's organization and openly wishing for the Washington job--and that he was rightly run out of town for it. At the time I kept thinking 'I am so glad he's not the coach of the Redskins.' The fact that he has a great relationship with Cerrato going back to San Fran days does give me on iota of comfort. In fact, it scares me.

I do not question that Snyder wants what is best for the Redskins or that he wants to win. I do not doubt that I could be proven wrong if Mora is hired, as he may very well perform as our head coach. But I do not like the direction that this process appears to be taking. I do not trust Jim Mora, and I definitely do not trust Vinny.

I wish I could trust Snyder and say that he has learned enough about owning an NFL team to make the right moves, but I confess that I do not. I am genuinely worried about the status of this team going into the next few years, starting with this head-coach decision.

Irn-Bru wrote: I am genuinely worried about the status of this team going into the next few years, starting with this head-coach decision.

Me too, it's completely legitimate. We just had a decent (not great) run...with the promise of more. But we just got out of some really terrible years.

I don't want a return to the Turner-Spurrier days.

Edited to add:

But I do like how Snyder is being very methodical, and thorough in his interview process. I also like how he's looking at younger guys...he's looking for a long-term solution.

BnGhog wrote:

they worked together in San Fran

Anyone know how successful they were??

The 49'rs? Mora was a coaching asst. Cerrato is a numbers cruncher.

Cerrato is here because of what happened there - "success" for Vinny is "playing" with or "managing" cap space I think one of the reasons the 49'rs are only now begining to recover is partly due to how they played with the salary cap when he was there - he was only an advisor but his reputation there is what helped him get a chance with Snyder and he is now Snyder's "yes" man and "helps" with our never ending cap problems.

I admit, I'm starting, just starting, to get a little apprehensive.

I'm pretty much in agreement with everything Irn-Bru just wrote up there.

The one thing I'll say though is if we don't hire GW, I'd at least like to see the team go with a young, fiery coach and Mora fits that bill to a certain extent. I think we'd be better off with somebody bringing some energy and some hunger than with a coach like Cowher who doesn't really have anything to prove anymore.

GW fits that bill as well btw. He would have a lot to prove taking over this team.

Anybody else hoping this thing is played out before Monday? I'm getting anxious.

Irn-Bru wrote:Given what we're hearing about Jim Mora, I just want to say one thing. (And I have to qualify it by saying that I don't know what's going on behind the scenes, obviously.)

Here it is: Who would you rather have as a head coach after losing Gibbs:

(1) A man who apparently impressed Snyder quite a bit in his interview, who is also very tight with Vinny Cerrato. . .with reports that they "work well" together.

(2) A man who every player in the building seems to be lobbying for, openly saying that he is their preferred choice.




I must say that I'm a little scared. I always hated Mora's arrogant swagger when he coached with the Falcons. I thought he did a classless thing in essentially ditching Atlanta's organization and openly wishing for the Washington job--and that he was rightly run out of town for it. At the time I kept thinking 'I am so glad he's not the coach of the Redskins.' The fact that he has a great relationship with Cerrato going back to San Fran days does give me on iota of comfort. In fact, it scares me.

As it should. I can't shake the horror I see in the possible hiring of Mora. It would be nothing but an expansion of the Buddy Buddy Add-A-String-And-Pull Yes Man Puppet Network.

And doing that would mean the net result of the four years of Gibbs 2.0 would be a GIANT HONKING ZERO. Might as well not have even hired him.

I also love how Vinny touts his SB and CFB title rings as proof of his prowess. Sorry Vinny, equipment guys and secretaries get rings too and you added about as much as they did.

Irn-Bru wrote:I do not question that Snyder wants what is best for the Redskins or that he wants to win. I do not doubt that I could be proven wrong if Mora is hired, as he may very well perform as our head coach. But I do not like the direction that this process appears to be taking. I do not trust Jim Mora, and I definitely do not trust Vinny.

I don't doubt Snyder's desires, either. I know he doesn't step outside the process and see that he doesn't help it when there isn't a Redskins Icon in the building.

Irn-Bru wrote:I wish I could trust Snyder and say that he has learned enough about owning an NFL team to make the right moves, but I confess that I do not. I am genuinely worried about the status of this team going into the next few years, starting with this head-coach decision.

You're preaching to the choir. Again, this will show whether Snyder learned a lick of anything during his four years at the Gibbs Academy.

Or better yet, whether he's willing to implement it.

just throwing it out there......

What if, Williams has already turned the HC job down, and His meetings with Danny is about both of them shopping for a HC....

grabs the smelly fish and throws it back in the cess pool it came from ...

I really think that Snyder and Williams are trying to put together a coaching staff - maybe Vinny is involved as well I think they are looking at all the aspects and trying to see not only where they are now but who else they want on their team

I am sure that Snyder's past "record" and the time it is taking is cause for a lot of creative writing and predicting.


This is an opportunity for him to indicate that he has benefited from the last 4 years - in a way he cannot lose if he hires Williams - if it works the media and the fans will say he followed the Gibbs plan - if it does not work, and Williams is a flop - he will not be trashed nearly as badly as if he chooses a successor that doesn't get us back to the playoffs.

I think we all agree that there is little chance of making the playoffs if we go through the process of a new system offensively and defensively that would be involved with anyone that is not presently with our team.