Mike Shanahan is a classic move by Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder. And, a typically bad one.
Snyder once more grabbed the biggest name on the board, mistaking past reputation for current performance. It’s like buying IBM in the age of Microsoft.
A headline-grabbing hire is great for selling season tickets, corporate sponsorships and jerseys. A $35 million contract validates the owner’s reputation of overpaying for past performance. Someone with titles won elsewhere whose resume overshadows Snyder’s poor stewardship once more lends hope to the Burgundy Revolution.
But is Shanahan the right choice?
Shanahan is the latest savior of a franchise now 18 years removed from a championship. The former Denver Broncos coach himself is 11 years from winning two straight titles. It has been a long time since both sides tasted success. So long they may have forgotten the feel of that silver trophy in their hands.
Certainly, Shanahan delivered a good first impression at Redskins Park on Wednesday. With the standard burgundy-and-gold tie, Shanahan spoke of not taking too long to rebuild, seeing quarterback Jason Campbell remain and moving training camp from Ashburn. He twice gave respect to the fans.
But Snyder should have waited for a full field of candidates rather than impatiently bidding on the leader. Bill Cowher finally came sniffing around only to receive a cold reception from Snyder, who was tired of courting the former Pittsburgh coach. Between Cowher and Shanahan, I take Cowher.
If Jon Gruden could have been swayed, he’s the choice. If Tennessee had been stupid enough to part with Jeff Fisher, I’d knock down anyone in the way to get him.
This is where Bruce Allen should have been used, but the general manager surely gave no input given Shanahan has been Snyder’s No. 1 target for six months. Allen certainly won’t argue because this pick isn’t on him. If the Redskins can’t escape the decade of stink under the owner, the Shanahan era is on Snyder.
It’s hard to dismiss the pick. But predecessors Marty Schottenheimer, Steve Spurrier and Joe Gibbs seemed superb choices at the time. All left mission unaccomplished. Why will Shanahan be any different?
This will never end unless Snyder not only takes a lesser role, but learns to hire off potential and not past performance. That means coaches and players with their best years ahead of them and not names on old trophies.
Just 1,095 days until the next coaching hire.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com and Twitter @Snide_Remarks or e-mail [email protected].
