“We spoke to a ton of great candidates, but our process led us to the decision that Dan Quinn is the perfect man for the job,” Commanders General Manager Adam Peters said Monday.
Quinn represents a fresh start for the Commanders under Harris and Peters, and the 53-year-old doesn’t exactly have a tough act to follow. Here’s a look back at the introductions of the seven non-interim coaches Snyder hired, none of whom achieved much success under Washington’s previous regime despite optimistic beginnings.
Snyder hired Schottenheimer in January 2001 to replace interim coach Terry Robiskie, who took over after Snyder fired Norv Turner late in the 2000 season. Schottenhimer, who previously coached the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs, had been highly critical of Snyder’s meddlesome ways during his two years as an NFL analyst for ESPN.
“This football team belongs to Daniel Snyder … but we have a very specific understanding as to our purpose,” Schottenheimer said at his introductory news conference. “… And if there is an impasse, I will make the decision.”
Citing “irreconcilable differences,” Snyder fired Schottenheimer one year into his four-year deal, after Washington rallied from an 0-5 start to finish 8-8.
Snyder hired Spurrier in January 2002, 10 days after the Ol’ Ball Coach abruptly resigned as coach at the University of Florida.
“We’re going to get a general manager in here,” Spurrier told reporters on his first day in charge. “Hopefully he’ll take care of his part. I’ll take care of my part and if there’s ever a disagreement, Mr. Snyder will make the decision.”
Spurrier expected Bobby Beathard, who won two Super Bowls in Washington, to get the GM job, but the deal fell apart over financial considerations. Instead, Vinny Cerrato, who had been fired by Schottenheimer, was rehired to oversee personnel matters. Spurrier resigned after two losing seasons.
Gibbs, who won three Super Bowls with Washington from 1981 to 1992, agreed to return as coach in January 2004.
“From this point on, the past doesn’t buy us much other than relationships,” Gibbs told reporters at his introductory news conference. “We want to try to do something great here. … That’s the way I’m looking at it. It’s a whole new deal for me.”
Gibbs went 30-34 and led Washington to a pair of playoff appearances in four years before resigning after the 2007 season.
After a 32-day coaching search that featured a report the team was prepared to hire Jim Fassel, Washington promoted Zorn, who had been hired as Washington’s offensive coordinator two weeks earlier.
“I look at these three trophies, it’s quite intimidating, and I know who’s behind this little group here,” Zorn said at his introductory news conference in February 2008. “I’m very proud to be standing in an organization that has these and … I understand the opportunity I’ve been given.”
Snyder fired Zorn after Washington finished 4-12 in his second season.
Snyder turned to Shanahan, a two-time Super Bowl champion in 14 years with the Denver Broncos, to clean up Zorn’s mess.
“I promise you I won’t disappoint you,” Shanahan told reporters after agreeing to a five-year deal.
Snyder fired Shanahan after he posted a 24-40 record and led Washington to one playoff berth in four seasons.
Snyder hired Gruden, the former offensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals, to replace Shanahan in January 2014.
“We’ve got to forget about the past and look toward the future every day,” Gruden, who worked with Washington GM Bruce Allen in Tampa Bay, said. “When you’re 3-13, there’s not one particular player or reason.”
Gruden kept his job longer than any other coach of the Snyder era. He was fired after an 0-5 start in his fifth season dropped his record in Washington to 35-49-1 with one playoff appearance.
Snyder hired former Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera in January 2020 and promised him broad authority.
“We’re going to have one voice and one voice alone, and that’s going to be the coach’s,” Snyder said after introducing Rivera.
Rivera was fired in January after going 26-40-1 with one playoff appearance in four seasons.
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