Redskins Hire Schottenheimer

W A S H I N GT O N, Jan. 3 -- Marty Schottenheimer was hired as coach of theWashington Redskins today, returning to the NFL with a teamthat proved to be an expensive bust this season.

Schottenheimer, who took both of his previous teams to the NFLplayoffs, received a four-year, $10 million contract from theRedskins, who finished the season 8-8 and missed the playoffsdespite the largest player payroll in NFL history.

He also will be the team’s director of football operations.

To hire Schottenheimer, the Redskins agreed to give the Kansas City Chiefsthird-round picks in the next two drafts.

Has Been Critical of Snyder

Schottenheimer, who has worked for ESPN (which, like ABCNEWS, is owned by the Walt Disney Co.) the last two years andhas been critical of Redskins owner Dan Snyder, replaces interimcoach Terry Robiskie, who coached the final three games of thisseason after Norv Turner was fired.

Schottenheimer coached the Chiefs from 1989-98, compiling a101-58-1 record. He resigned in January 1999, with three seasonsleft on his Kansas City contract.

The 57-year-old Schottenheimer coached the Browns from 1984-88,going 46-31.

He ranks 12th in career NFL coaching victories.

Schottenheimer took the Chiefs to the playoffs seven times in 10seasons, and went to the postseason in each of his four seasons inCleveland, including two AFC title game appearances.

Shared Commitment to Winning

In a statement, Schottenheimer said he decided to return tocoaching “because it’s in my blood. It’s who I am.

“Dan Snyder is committed to winning and so am I.”

Snyder, searching for the best coach money could buy tocomplement his $100 million roster, courted some of the mostprominent coaches in the country, including Bill Parcells, SteveSpurrier and Butch Davis.

Florida’s Spurrier and Miami’s Davis made it clear they wantedto remain at their respective colleges, while former Giants,Patriots and Jets coach Parcells said he does not intend to coachagain.