Former Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs coach Marty Schottenheimer accepted the job of head coach and director of football operations with the Washington Redskins.
Terms of the deal are four years, $10 million, but the contract includes incentives that could add $8 million to the total package.
Because of a clause in Schottenheimer's contract with his former
football employer, the Chiefs, the Redskins will compensate Kansas City with
a third-round pick in each of the next two drafts.
|  | | Marty Schottenheimer has 145 career coaching victories. |
A news conference will be held at 4 p.m. ET Thursday at Redskins Park to announce
the deal.
Schottenheimer, who was an NFL analyst for ESPN two years after his last season with the Chiefs in 1998, has a career record of 145-85-1 and made 11 playoff appearances. He is the 11th-winningest coach in NFL history.
He had said he could not see himself working for a hands-on owner like Washington's Daniel Snyder, but his opinion changed when given the opportunity.
"At first I felt our management styles were not similar, but when I met him,
I found him to be a very engaging guy, and totally committed to recapturing
the winning tradition of the Washington Redskins," Schottenheimer said of Snyder. "He has a tremendous
passion for this organization.
Schottenheimer said he is returning to coaching
"because it's in my blood. It's who I am."
"I felt the Redskins were a very competitive team and gave us an opportunity
to win. There's a strong nucleus there. Certainly there's a lot of work to
be done, but the opportunity to win is there.
"Daniel Snyder is committed to winning, and so am I," Schottenheimer
said. "The Washington Redskins are among the leading franchises in all
sports, and it's a privilege to join the organization."
"Marty Schottenheimer knows how to win, and that's what Redskins fans
demand in a coach," Snyder said in the Redskins release.
"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 replaces interim coach Terry Robiskie, who
coached the final three games of this season after Norv Turner was
fired. One of Schottenheimer's 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 (Schottenheimer) when he was with the Browns. I
definitely respect what he's done with his teams."
Schottenheimer coached Cleveland (1984-88) and made the
playoffs each of his four full seasons. His teams won three AFC
Central 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 (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.
Snyder tried to buy a title in the offseason by spending $100 million on veterans such as Bruce Smith, Deion Sanders, Mark Carrier and Jeff George.
The Redskins started out 6-2 before the high-priced ship began breaking apart. Injuries at wide receiver and in the line hobbled the offense, and the neglected special teams cost the Redskins at least three games. The team finally broke along two lines -- Turner and quarterback Brad Johnson on one side, Snyder and George on the other.
Since the Redskins were 7-4 with Johnson starting at quarterback and 1-4 with George, it created a chemistry that backfired when Snyder fired Turner with three games to play and George was named the starter. The Redskins quit in the next two games and ended up losing four of their last five.
Schottenheimer said that the dual title will give him the type of control he needs to win on the field.
"Daniel Snyder is the owner of this football team, but he has afforded me the
opportunity to be involved in all the important decisions that affect the
on-field success of the Washington Redskins," he said.
The coach also sounded a little wistful in leaving broadcasting.
"My two years with ESPN were two of the most enjoyable years of my life. I
enjoyed the feeling of family and camaraderie that was a part of the
company. In particular, I've always admired their ability to carry on their
jobs with professionalism, while at the same time making every day
enjoyable."
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VIDEO
  Marty Schottenheimer news conference. RealVideo: 28.8  ESPN's Trey Wingo and Chris Mortensen take a closer look at Schottenheimer's new job. wav: 1040 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 ESPN's Chris Mortensen says Marty Schottenheimer will have his hands full in Washington. wav: 381 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 ESPN's Joe Theismann tells what to expect with Marty Schottenheimer returning to coach the Redskins. wav: 1973 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Will Marty Schottenheimer's AFC experience hurt him in the NFC? Joe Theismann doesn't think so. wav: 808 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Redskins lineman Jay Leeuwenberg likes the decision to hire a veteran coach who players will respect. wav: 526 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 The Kansas City Star's Jason Whitlock likes the fit of Marty Schottenheimer in Washington. wav: 571 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Can Daniel Snyder take a backseat to Marty Schottenheimer? Mark Maske of the Washington Post answers. wav: 801 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 ESPN's Trey Wingo talks with Marty Schottenheimer about the respect and intergity he will bring to the Redskins organization, as well as to the game of football. wav: 1138 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Marty Schottenheimer says he broke an axiom he always believed in regards to the Redskins owner Daniel Synder. wav: 176 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 Redskins owner Daniel Synder says he and Marty Schottenheimer see eye to eye in terms of his interaction with his football team. wav: 138 kRealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6 |
