The Redskins coaching search could be over today. Or it could continue to drag on, inching toward a fourth week. What is clear, however, is that Gregg Williams’ chances of landing the job have diminished while Jim Fassel has emerged as the frontrunner.
And it’s also clear the players don’t favor that scenario.
“This is a total shock,” one veteran said. “We really had something going. We took one step forward this year. This would be taking 10 steps back.”
Fassel, the ex-New York Giants coach, has interviewed three times for the position and various unconfirmed reports said he could be named coach as early as today. He, Williams and Ron Meeks all have interviewed on multiple occasions to replace Joe Gibbs.
The Redskins also have interviewed Seattle quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn to be their offensive coordinator. Zorn’s name came up in interviews with other potential head coaching candidates, prompting the Redskins interest.
Also, Baltimore’s Rex Ryan has emerged as a strong candidate to become the defensive coordinator. However, when contacted by The Examiner early Wednesday, he said, “I haven’t been contacted or anything … . I’m just playing the waiting game. I’ll coach somewhere and I’ll be happy to do it.”
Ryan is under contract with Baltimore and the Redskins would need permission to speak with him. The Ravens do not have to let him go for what would be a lateral move. Ryan worked with Fassel in Baltimore.
Fassel went 58-53-1 in seven seasons with the Giants, leading them to a Super Bowl. He was well-liked by players and staff, whogave him a standing ovation after his final press conference. But around the league, eyebrows are raised.
“He’s more fluff than substance as a head coach,” said one GM of a team that researched him for its head coaching vacancy a few years ago. “If you’ve been a head coach and have an offensive background and have been successful, you should get another chance. If you don’t, there are reasons why.
“In this situation, you make Gregg the head coach and keep Saunders and go about your business. If that’s my option or Fassel, I would take that every day of the week.”
Ex-Redskin Brian Mitchell played for Fassel in New York and called him a good teacher and a players’ coach. But, he said, given the structure of the Redskins’ organization, he’s pessimistic.
“You look at Vinny [Cerrato] and Dan [Snyder] making the decision,” Mitchell said, “if [Joe Gibbs’ staff] couldn’t be successful with that format, then I don’t see Fassel being successful.”
