The stability enjoyed by the Redskins’ defense the past six years is over. Washington hired Jim Haslett to be its defensive coordinator, which could signal a shift in philosophy as well.
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Haslett accepted the job Tuesday night, according to his agent Peter Schaffer, after first interviewing with the Redskins a day earlier. He replaces Greg Blache, who is expected to get fired and then retire. Blache had been on the Redskins’ staff since 2004. All but one of the current defensive assistants had been in place since at least 2005.
Redskins secondary coach Jerry Gray had been considered a candidate as well.
One NFL source said when Mike Shanahan was hired that he thought the Redskins might shift to a 3-4 front. They have used that in the past on certain downs, but not as a primary defense. Haslett has usually run a 4-3, but has experience in a 3-4.
Haslett served as a defensive coordinator in New Orleans (1996), Pittsburgh (1997-99) and St. Louis (2006-2008). He went 45-51 in six seasons as the Saints’ head coach from 2000-05.
His defenses in Pittsburgh ranked sixth, 12th and 11th. He had one top-10 defense in New Orleans, coming in his first season as head coach, while one year his defense ranked last. His Rams defenses ranked 23rd, 21st and 28th. A Rams insider said the poor numbers were a reflection more of talent than coaching and said Haslett was popular with the players. He served 12 games as an interim coach in 2008.
“He was very good at one time,” one NFL general manager said. “He’s complicated in the secondary. I’d liken him closer to Gregg Williams in terms of trying to create nuances. He wears his emotions on his sleeve and that sometimes can be a bad thing. He talks a lot and is highly opinionated, probably like Williams. But he’s more outgoing and personable. He truly understands coaching.”
ESPN NFL analyst Mark Schlereth said, “I’ve always thought he was a heck of a coach and got a lot out of his players.”
