Washington Redskins Move On From Head Coach Mike Shanahan

The Washington Redskins have officially parted ways with Head Coach Mike Shanahan and staff. After a Monday morning meeting with team Owner Dan Snyder, that lasted about 30 minutes, the two decided to part ways. Snyder will be forced to pay Shanahan the remainder of his ironclad contract ($7 million) and about $13/$14 million total buyout for his staff.

“Redskins fans deserve a better result,” Owner Daniel M. Snyder said. “We thank Mike for his efforts on behalf of the Redskins. We will focus on what it takes to build a winning team, and my pledge to this organization and to this community is to continue to commit the resources and talent necessary to put this team back in the playoffs.”

“We are going to take a smart, step-by-step approach to finding the right coach to return the Redskins to where we believe we should be,” Executive Vice President/General Manager Bruce Allen said. “We will analyze accurately and honestly all of the decisions that were made over the past year.”

Shanahan became the 28th head coach in Redskins history on January 6, 2010. He was viewed as a respected offensive mind who would help reshape Washington’s franchise. In a way, he actually did.

The Washington Redskins had more structure with Shanahan at helm. But the key was adding General Manager Bruce Allen, who has the ear and respect of Dan Snyder. With Allen, the Washington Redskins had structure many felt the team needed. Allen would control the cap and business side. Mike Shanahan was in charge of everything else. He had final say from the flavor of coffee creamer to actual personnel movement.

Shanahan established discipline from the start, creating rules like “no double parking.” He’s always been known as a bit of an “extremist” and he proved to be no different with the Washington Redskins. Shanahan disciplines players like children — putting them in his infamous “doghouse.” No matter how much that player could help the Redskins on-the-field, Shanahan pretty much shut that player down. It’s like putting a child on punishment… except these really aren’t children — they’re professional football players.

For various reasons, Mike Shanahan wasn’t able to live up to expectations. He’ll leave footprints behind him with a renovated Redskins Park, indoor training facility and a training camp away from the team’s headquarters in Ashubrun, VA. However, at the end of the day, Mike Shanahan was unable to field a winner. His 24-40 record is simply unacceptable. Not to mention, if you remove the seven game winning streak in 2012, he would have the worst record in that four season time frame.

The Washington Redskins, as an organization, still needs work and will move some pieces around this off-season. But they are definitely in a better position than they were five years ago. Now it’s time for the team to win. Not just win, but consistently win.

Owner Dan Snyder and Bruce Allen have spent the past few weeks putting together a list of potential head coaching candidates. The hunt for Washington’s 29th Head Coach will begin immediately. For potential coaching candidates check out our recently updated candidate list/rankings here .

Coaching notes:

* Assistant coaches under contract to playoff clubs that have byes in the Wild Card weekend may be interviewed for head coaching positions through the conclusion of the Wild Card games (Sun. January 5). Potential names fitting this note: Darrell Bevell, OC, Seahawks; Adam Gase, OC, Denver Broncos.

*Assistant coaches under contract to playoff clubs that won their Wild Card games may be interviewed for head coaching positions through the conclusion of Divisional Playoff games (Sun. January 12). Potential names fitting this note: Jay Gruden, OC, Bengals or Ken Whisenhunt, OC, Chargers.

*Art Briles and the Baylor Bears will play in the Fiesta Bowl on Wednesday. If Snyder wishes to make that call and schedule a meeting, it would have to happen after that game.

Follow us: @Manny_PPI | @PlayerInsiders