Snyder says decision on coach is up to Allen
ASHBURN — Jim Zorn has a second chance. Sort of. Before Thursday, Zorn’s fate likely was sealed, especially if Vinny Cerrato returned.
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Even with Cerrato gone, Zorn’s future likely will be spent elsewhere. However, new Redskins executive vice president/general manager Bruce Allen said no decision has been made. The two met Thursday morning.
“I told him what I will try to do in the next few weeks,” Allen said. “This is a unique opportunity to get a start on the 2010 season and season’s upcoming … We’ll have more meetings and discuss the future.”
Zorn, 12-17 as a coach, was hired by Cerrato and owner Dan Snyder, but it had become clear throughout the season that this likely would be his last. Snyder said the decision will be up to Allen.
“I’ll work as hard as I possibly can, not to try to save my job, but to continue to work the way we’re working so we can bring a winner to this program,” Zorn said. “My main issue is Monday night [vs. the New York Giants]. I won’t be able to control that issue except by winning and showing my competence and then it will be up to the observations.
“He’s got to see the good, the bad and what the ugly is as well. This will all be revealed. I will try not to whine and moan and groan about things that happen poorly around here. I’ll try to continue to push forward.”
Zorn clearly chafed at having been demoted by Cerrato as a play-caller in favor of Sherman Lewis in October. But Zorn said it did not affect their working relationship.
“As things disintegrated with the record, there was some difficulties, but never from a standpoint of being able to work together,” said Zorn, who left a message with Cerrato Thursday. “There was not cat-calling. We never had arguments in either person’s office … He wasn’t trying to hurt our team at all. He tried to create a difference.”
Allen said reports of Mike Shanahan being the next coach are premature.
“I just met Jim. We’re going to see how we can beat the New York Giants on Monday night,” he said. “There will be plenty of time after the season to speculate.”
