Redskins Fire Jim Zorn

Jim Zorn was fired by the Washington Redskins early Monday, the first step in yet another team overhaul under owner Dan Snyder. Zorn was informed of his dismissal shortly after the team returned to Redskins Park following Sunday’s season-ending 23-20 loss at San Diego. Zorn went 12-20 over two seasons, but he lost 18 of his last 24 games after a 6-2 start in 2008. The Redskins struggled early despite a weak schedule this season and finished 4-12, their worst record since 1994. “The status quo is not acceptable,” general manager Bruce Allen said in a statement released by the team. “I felt it was necessary to not waste a moment of time to begin building this team into a winner.” Zorn’s replacement will be Washington’s seventh coach since Snyder bought the team in 1999. Playing a role in the decision will be Allen, who was hired as the GM last month. Zorn’s dismissal had been expected for months. The front office stripped him of his play-calling duties in late October, and Snyder has interviewed assistant coach Jerry Gray for the job weeks ago, according to the Fritz Pollard Alliance, which monitors minority hiring in the NFL. Former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan is considered the favorite to replace Zorn. The new coach, Snyder and Allen will have a monumental task to rebuild a team with many roster deficiencies and major questions at offensive line, quarterback and running back. – Yahoo.com

Redskins’ Jerry Gray likely headed to Memphis

Washington Redskins defensive assistant Jerry Gray is emerging as the likely candidate to replace Tommy Westafter he interviewed for the vacant University of Memphis football coaching position Tuesday in Memphis, according to sources close to the process. Gray, secondary coach for the Redskins, and LSU assistant Larry Porter, a former Memphis running back, are considered the top choices to become the next UofM coach. Porter interviewed Friday for the job that opened Nov. 9 when West was dismissed. – Memphis Commercial Appeal

Redskins Strip Jim Zorn stripped of play calling

Washington Redskins coach Jim Zorn lost more than a game on Sunday. Zorn was told after a 14-6 setback to the previously winless Kansas City Chiefs that he will not call offensive plays anymore. Executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato met with Zorn and told him that he has too many responsibilities right now, Redskins’ director of communications Zack Bolno said. The team did not reveal who would call plays, but an announcement is expected on Monday. Zorn began his postgame news conference with a loud, lengthy sigh into the microphone. And the coach kept on sighing as he discussed a loss which dropped the Redskins to 2-4 this season and 4-10 over their past 14 games. “I’ve got to be better. And it really irritates me. Truly irritates me,” Zorn said. “And I’m just not going to rest until I get that taken care of.” The heat on Zorn is sure to increase leading up to Washington’s next outing: a high-profile Monday night game Oct. 26 against the Philadelphia Eagles, which is followed by the Redskins’ bye week. – ESPN

Reprt: Redskins Contact Mike Shanahan

Owner Daniel Snyder has hired a coaching consultant during the season, and both times — Mike Nolan and Steve Spurrier — the head coach was a goner the very next season. Jim Zorn appears to be a dead coach walking with old-timer Sherm Lewis hired to oversee his game plans. Word has it Snyder approached former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan in the offseason to be his head coach and has made another attempt during the season, only to be rebuffed both times. Despite being owed millions by Denver owner Pat Bowlen, Shanahan does want to return to the sidelines, but he wants to wait until the league season ends and consider his options. – Fox Sports

VIDEO: Jim Zorn On The Hot Seat