Post by Deleted on Dec 30, 2013 10:09:53 GMT -5
Mike Shanahan fired as Redskins coach
10:00 a.m. Mike Shanahan thanks the fans in a brief statement. “I can’t tell you how supportive this fan base is.” Also thanks Dan Snyder for the opportunity, describes the franchise as “the best.”
Shanahan described the tough situation the Redskins were in when he arrived, having released several players in the first months.
“Overall, I thought the direction of the team was going the right direction,” he said of his first two years. “Going into the third year, something I wanted to do was get some defensive players, but we had that $36 million (salary cap) hit. … It’s always tough to have depth (with the hit), and I think that hurt is this year.”
He said he believes he’s left the Redskins in a good spot, concluding by saying he believes the team is better off now than it was four years ago.
9:50 a.m.
ASHBURN – Mike Shanahan has been fired as the Washington Redskins head coach.
He learned of his dismissal in a meeting this morning at Redskins Park. The team will hold a press conference at noon to discuss the firing.
Shanahan’s four-year tenure with the team ends with a 24-40 regular-season record. His final game was Sunday’s 20-6 loss to the Giants in New York.
“Redskins fans deserve a better result,” team owner Dan Snyder said in an e-mailed statement. “We thank Mike for his efforts on behalf of the Redskins. We will focus on what it takes to build a winning team, and my pledge to this organization and to this community is to continue to commit the resources and talent necessary to put this team back in the playoffs.”
After winning two Super Bowls in Denver, Shanahan was brought to Washington with the promise of ushering in a new era for the once-proud franchise. Owner Dan Snyder said he was giving Shanahan total control over all aspects of the football operation.
Among the changes instituted by Shanahan was moving training camp. The team signed a 10-year deal with the City of Richmond that began this season. That deal remains in place regardless of who is coaching the Redskins.
Shanahan produced one winning season, taking the Redskins to the playoffs thanks to a seven-game winning streak at the end of the 2012 season. Since then, things haven’t gone as well.
The Redskins have been outscored this season by 144 points, their worst margin since 1961.
Shanahan’s firing can be attributed in part to tensions with the star quarterback.
The Redskins traded several draft picks to obtain Robert Griffin III, but after Griffin tore his ACL in a playoff game against the Seahawks, the two have been at odds over who was at fault for the injury and how Griffin would be handled going forward, tensions that simmered below the surface even during a seven-game winning streak.
Before the Chiefs game this season, ESPN published a story saying Shanahan was ready to resign over those differences in late 2012, adding that the coach was angered by Griffin receiving preferential treatment from Snyder.
Shanahan’s firing likely means the dismissal of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and defensive coordinator Jim Haslett.
The question now shifts to who might be interested in the Redskins job, which has been an untenable position under Snyder’s ownership.
Baylor coach Art Briles is an obvious candidate – he’s had success with Griffin in the past, and his system has proven successful with the Bears.
Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden has had success working with young quarterbacks, but said over the weekend he won’t be pursuing any coaching openings in 2014. His brother Jay Gruden, offensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals, is considered a hot coaching candidate.
There has also been reported interest in bringing back former Washington defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.
9:31 a.m. Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has been fired.
9:24 a.m. Redskins coach Mike Shanahan and owner Dan Snyder are currently meeting inside Redskins Park.
In the locker room, players have begun clearing out their belongings. Quarterback Robert Griffin III declined to talk to reporters – he has previously said he’s going to get out of town for a while once the season ends.
8:39 a.m. Redskins players have begun reporting for end-of-season physicals, meetings and cleaning out their lockers. This will be their last day at the facility for a while.
Owner Dan Snyder and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan are both inside the building, though coach Mike Shanahan has not yet been seen. Reporters are still being kept outside the gates.
7:42 a.m. ASHBURN – Several television stations are broadcasting live from outside Redskins Park in advance of this morning’s meeting between coach Mike Shanahan and owner Dan Snyder. Snyder is expected to fire Shanahan at the meeting.
Reporters will not be allowed inside the facility until 9 am, which is when players are scheduled to clean out their lockers and have their end-of-year meetings with coaches.
Several assistant coaches have come in already. Their fate may not be resolved until after the hiring of a new coach
redskinsxtra.blogs.timesdispatch.com/2013/12/30/live-reporters-gather-outside-redskins-park/
10:00 a.m. Mike Shanahan thanks the fans in a brief statement. “I can’t tell you how supportive this fan base is.” Also thanks Dan Snyder for the opportunity, describes the franchise as “the best.”
Shanahan described the tough situation the Redskins were in when he arrived, having released several players in the first months.
“Overall, I thought the direction of the team was going the right direction,” he said of his first two years. “Going into the third year, something I wanted to do was get some defensive players, but we had that $36 million (salary cap) hit. … It’s always tough to have depth (with the hit), and I think that hurt is this year.”
He said he believes he’s left the Redskins in a good spot, concluding by saying he believes the team is better off now than it was four years ago.
9:50 a.m.
ASHBURN – Mike Shanahan has been fired as the Washington Redskins head coach.
He learned of his dismissal in a meeting this morning at Redskins Park. The team will hold a press conference at noon to discuss the firing.
Shanahan’s four-year tenure with the team ends with a 24-40 regular-season record. His final game was Sunday’s 20-6 loss to the Giants in New York.
“Redskins fans deserve a better result,” team owner Dan Snyder said in an e-mailed statement. “We thank Mike for his efforts on behalf of the Redskins. We will focus on what it takes to build a winning team, and my pledge to this organization and to this community is to continue to commit the resources and talent necessary to put this team back in the playoffs.”
After winning two Super Bowls in Denver, Shanahan was brought to Washington with the promise of ushering in a new era for the once-proud franchise. Owner Dan Snyder said he was giving Shanahan total control over all aspects of the football operation.
Among the changes instituted by Shanahan was moving training camp. The team signed a 10-year deal with the City of Richmond that began this season. That deal remains in place regardless of who is coaching the Redskins.
Shanahan produced one winning season, taking the Redskins to the playoffs thanks to a seven-game winning streak at the end of the 2012 season. Since then, things haven’t gone as well.
The Redskins have been outscored this season by 144 points, their worst margin since 1961.
Shanahan’s firing can be attributed in part to tensions with the star quarterback.
The Redskins traded several draft picks to obtain Robert Griffin III, but after Griffin tore his ACL in a playoff game against the Seahawks, the two have been at odds over who was at fault for the injury and how Griffin would be handled going forward, tensions that simmered below the surface even during a seven-game winning streak.
Before the Chiefs game this season, ESPN published a story saying Shanahan was ready to resign over those differences in late 2012, adding that the coach was angered by Griffin receiving preferential treatment from Snyder.
Shanahan’s firing likely means the dismissal of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and defensive coordinator Jim Haslett.
The question now shifts to who might be interested in the Redskins job, which has been an untenable position under Snyder’s ownership.
Baylor coach Art Briles is an obvious candidate – he’s had success with Griffin in the past, and his system has proven successful with the Bears.
Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden has had success working with young quarterbacks, but said over the weekend he won’t be pursuing any coaching openings in 2014. His brother Jay Gruden, offensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals, is considered a hot coaching candidate.
There has also been reported interest in bringing back former Washington defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.
9:31 a.m. Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has been fired.
9:24 a.m. Redskins coach Mike Shanahan and owner Dan Snyder are currently meeting inside Redskins Park.
In the locker room, players have begun clearing out their belongings. Quarterback Robert Griffin III declined to talk to reporters – he has previously said he’s going to get out of town for a while once the season ends.
8:39 a.m. Redskins players have begun reporting for end-of-season physicals, meetings and cleaning out their lockers. This will be their last day at the facility for a while.
Owner Dan Snyder and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan are both inside the building, though coach Mike Shanahan has not yet been seen. Reporters are still being kept outside the gates.
7:42 a.m. ASHBURN – Several television stations are broadcasting live from outside Redskins Park in advance of this morning’s meeting between coach Mike Shanahan and owner Dan Snyder. Snyder is expected to fire Shanahan at the meeting.
Reporters will not be allowed inside the facility until 9 am, which is when players are scheduled to clean out their lockers and have their end-of-year meetings with coaches.
Several assistant coaches have come in already. Their fate may not be resolved until after the hiring of a new coach
redskinsxtra.blogs.timesdispatch.com/2013/12/30/live-reporters-gather-outside-redskins-park/