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Schottenheimer accepts Skins' offer
Updated: Thursday January 04, 2001 5:37 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Marty Schottenheimer was hired as head coach of the Washington Redskins on Wednesday, returning to the NFL with a team that proved to be an expensive bust this season. Schottenheimer, whose .630 regular-season winning percentage is seventh best in NFL history, received a four-year, $10 million contract from the Redskins, who finished the season 8-8 and missed the playoffs despite the largest player payroll in NFL history. "Marty Schottenheimer knows how to win, and that's what Redskins fans demand in a coach," owner Dan Snyder said. "I believe we have a solid player foundation at the Redskins. We're now pairing that with a coach who understands what it takes to be successful in the NFL." Schottenheimer, 57, will also be Washington's director of football operations, placing him just below Snyder on football matters. Schottenheimer replaces interim coach Terry Robiskie, who coached the final three games of this season after Norv Turner was fired. Schottenheimer was scheduled to arrive in Washington on Thursday, and one of his first decisions will be whether to retain Robiskie and defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes -- both of whom are very popular among the players.
"I would definitely want to have Ray Rhodes back," said defensive end Marco Coleman, who is going to the Pro Bowl. "I hope it's not a move that make Ray Rhodes uncomfortable." Otherwise, Coleman said he was happy with the selection. "That was a pretty good choice," Coleman said. "I grew up in Ohio and got a chance to watch him when he was with the Browns. I definitely respect what he's done with his teams." Schottenheimer coached Cleveland from 1984-88 and made the playoffs each of his four full seasons. His teams won three AFC East titles and twice lost painfully to Denver in the AFC championship game, once when John Elway orchestrated a 98-yard drive to tie the game, then again when Earnest Byner fumbled as he was going into the end zone for the tying touchdown. Schottenheimer then coached the Chiefs from 1989-98, taking them to the playoffs seven times in 10 seasons. He resigned in January 1999, with three seasons left on his contract, and began working as an analyst for ESPN. Schottenheimer's career regular-season record is 145-85-1, but he is just 5-11 in the playoffs. The 150 total wins are 12th most in league history.
During his work for ESPN, Schottenheimer was critical of Snyder's hands-on style, but he said Wednesday in a statement that "Dan Snyder is committed to winning and so am I." Schottenheimer also said he decided to return to coaching "because it's in my blood. It's who I am." Snyder, searching for the best coach money could buy to complement his $100 million roster, courted some of the most prominent coaches in the country, including Bill Parcells, Steve Spurrier and Butch Davis. Florida's Spurrier and Miami's Davis made it clear they wanted to remain at their respective colleges, while former Giants, Patriots and Jets head coach Parcells said he does not intend to coach again. Schottenheimer's style should be a good fit for the Redskins -- he's defense-orientated and he likes to run the ball. Washington's offense is anchored by a pair of good young linemen and running back Stephen Davis. With Brad Johnson leaving to become a free agent, Jeff George is the heir-apparent at quarterback despite a 1-4 record as a starter this season.
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