This is part three of Commanders Wire looking at the rocky ownership of the NFL Washington franchise under Daniel Snyder.
Going 2-6 in the second half of the 2000 season, and finishing 8-8 was a huge disappointment for Daniel Snyder and Washington fans.
On January 3, 2001, Snyder hired Marty Schottenheimer to be his new head coach. It would be a new approach, as Marty would also be his director of football operations. “This is Marty Schottenheimer’s organization from the standpoint of the final word,” Snyder said.
Marty had coached the Browns to consecutive AFC Championship games in 1986 and 1987, and the Chiefs (1990-1999) to a .634 winning percentage. Snyder’s first head coach hire was clearly an established winner. Things were looking up, and hope increased in the fan base.
Marty didn’t waste any time firing the director of player personnel Vinny Cerrato. But defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes and quarterback Brad Johnson both wanted out of the Redskins organization.
Marty wanted to win immediately, but also knew the salary cap was a mess and several players had to go. Irving Fryar, Keith Sims, Tre Johnson, Andy Heck, Dana Stubblefield, Albert Connell, Andre Reed, Derek Smith, Eddie Murray, Greg Jones, James Thrash, Ndukwe Kalu, Andre Reed and Larry Centers would not return.
Following the draft, Skip Hicks and Mark Carrier were released, and Raleigh McKenzie retired. Marty then hired John Schneider to be VP of Player Personnel. Yes, that John Schneider who has been a successful Seahawk executive/general manager since 2010.
In July, Deion Sanders (33) retired, rather than report to training camp. Snyder, in 2000, had signed Sanders for $56 million, including an $8 million signing bonus paid up front. Sanders provided a minimal return on investment. Snyder would pay Sanders another $2 million and Sanders would count $5.2 million against a cap that was only $67.4 million in 2001.
Training camp was much more tough and physical than during the Norv Turner years (1994-2000). Schottenheimer voiced the importance of toughness and fundamentals. Bruce Smith and Darrell Green both voiced their concerns. After camp, Green announced it would be his last season effective at the end of the year. He would later determine to play 2002.
The season opened on the road but at least it was against the 1-15 Chargers (2000). QB Jeff George struggled, completing only 8 of 18 attempts with two interceptions. Marty was seen on the sidelines upset with George and Washington was embarrassed 30-3.
Week 2 at Green Bay on MNF was even worse. The offense didn’t even cross midfield until the 3rd quarter. They totaled 137 yards the entire game, losing 37-0. Marty cut George. Tony Banks was now the starter. “I was only doing what I was asked to do,” stated George. But no other NFL team was buying that. George was only age 33, but he never played again.
George had also been unaware enough to have said leadership was overrated. What would possess an NFL quarterback to spew out something so dead wrong? This was the guy Snyder had wanted, and Brad Johnson couldn’t leave quick enough. In 2001, George gave Snyder only two games, while Snyder paid George $661,765 salary and a $3,273,000 bonus.
Washington opened 0-5, but Marty continued to coach his way. The team bought in, and won five consecutive games, finishing 8-8. In Week 16, a 40-10 SNF national television audience witnessed the thrashing of the Saints in New Orleans. Washington fans were excitedly anticipating the 2002 season.
However, Dan Snyder had other things in mind. There were discussions with Schottenheimer for nearly a week, as Snyder wanted to remove some control from his newest coach. Schottenheimer dug in wanting his duties to remain the same. Snyder offered to hire another general manager to take some of the power from Schottenheimer but Marty would not budge. January 13, 2002, Snyder fired Schottenheimer and hired Steve Spurrier the following day.
When hiring Schottenheimer, Snyder said, “We’re making a chance here in such a way to set the future of the Redskins.” It had been Marty Schottenheimer’s organization” for only one season. To this day, many fans and local sports media consider this Snyder’s greatest error in judgment.
Snyder would now have to pay the remaining three years of Marty’s contract due him. Snyder also had thrown enough money to lure Spurrier ($25 million over 5 years) making him the highest-paid coach in the NFL.