Jim Fassel appears the survivor.
Bill Cowher couldn’t be lured from retirement. Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo ended up not being worth waiting two weeks to interview. Gregg Williams left for Jacksonville. Jim Mora Jr. stayed in Seattle. Pete Carroll remained in college.
Owner Dan Snyder’s money isn’t worth what it once was. Just like free agent players, coaches are using Snyder as leverage for bigger deal with their current teams rather than deal with the Redskins’ craziness.
When Spagnuolo didn’t work out — and both sides claimed they spurned the other — Fassel was alive once more. He’s an unpopular clubhouse leader with the public, but does have a Super Bowl appearance on his resume. Who knows, maybe waiting for Spagnuolo was Snyder’s way of quelling the fan revolt over Fassel’s potential hiring.
The coaching search is as much about selling tickets, sponsorships and T-shirts as it is winning. Why else did Snyder hire Marty Schottenheimer, Steve Spurrier and Joe Gibbs instead of promoting a coordinator? Snyder likes marquee names on the field and coaching box to generate attention and money.
Snyder needs a buzz over the new coach. Fans are tired of a franchise with little to show for a near billion dollars in payroll since Snyder arrived in 1999. This may be a watershed moment in the franchise’s history when its generational grip on the town’s fans begins declining. The Wizards are regular contenders and the Nationals have a new stadium and should start winning. Even the Caps are a playoff contender again.
The Redskins are vulnerable and deservedly so. Snyder is once more exposed as ill-prepared to run the team. Hopefully, the new coach can overcome him.
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Contact him at [email protected].
