Washington Redskins Fire Head Coach Jim Zorn

By Elliott Francis

Redskins General Manager Bruce Allen called a press conference to provide some details about the firing of coach Jim Zorn. In the end, there seemed to be more unresolved questions than answers.

Probably the most urgent question raised is who will replace Zorn. Allen was definitively coy about the prospects.

"I'm not going to get into that. I'm not going to discuss that, because of privacy issues for them," says Allen.

The Redskins ended the year with a 4 and 12 record, their worst since 1994. Although the season's over, Allen made it clear that he wants to begin building a winning foundation immediately. So, when will he choose a new coach?

"I'm not going to put a timetable on it," he says. "We're going to get the right person. I think the head coach in the NFL is the most demanding position in pro sports. So, we're going to make the right selection when we find our person."

Multiple reports indicate former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan could be that person. Shanahan and team owner Dan Snyder flew into Dulles International in Snyder's private jet late this afternoon.

Zorn's eventual replacement will be the Redskins' seventh coach since Snyder re-purchased the team back in 1999.