Washington Redskins: Daniel Snyder’s disappointing legacy

For the moment, it’s up to Bill Callahan to lead the Washington Redskins. Can they salvage their season? And what’s next for this struggling team?

The news that the Washington Redskins had dismissed head coach Jay Gruden early Monday morning after a 0-5 start was hardly shocking. After taking a 7-0 lead over the visiting New England Patriots on Sunday, the team gave up 33 unanswered points on Sunday. Once again, the offense looked lifeless with quarterback Colt McCoy at the controls. The defense was pushed around once again.

Of course, Gruden’s tenure with the organization was longer than most of those brought on by the team since Daniel Snyder was approved as the team’s new owner (via Leonard Shapiro and Mark Maske of the Washington Post) in May of 1999.

In fact, it has proven to be his longest hire in terms of years on the sidelines. Including a playoff loss in 2015 when the team won the NFC East, Gruden’s overall coaching record in five-plus years was 35-50-1.

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There’s been a long and sad tradition showing a lack of patience and/or making the wrong decision when it comes to the Redskins finding a sideline leader under Snyder. The numbers speak for themselves. Norv Turner was the team’s head coach from 1994 until three games remaining in 2000. This was a division champion in 1999 but after a 7-6 start in 2000, Turner was replaced by interim head coach Terry Robiskie and the club finished 8-8.

In 2001, it was up to Marty Schottenheimer. The team lost its first five games that season but rebounded to win its next five contests. It was another .500 season and Schottenheimer was one and done.

Next up was Steve Spurrier, who in two seasons produced a 12-20 record. Snyder and the organization then coaxed Hall of Famer Joe Gibbs back to the sidelines in 2004 and he produced playoff teams in 2005 (the last season the club won a playoff game) and 2007.

In 2008, it was Jim Zorn and he matched Spurrier’s 12-20 record over two seasons. Snyder brought in another Super Bowl-winning lead in Mike Shanahan in 2010.

He lost 10 or more games in three of his four seasons but thanks in part to 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Robert Griffin and backfield mate Alfred Morris, the Redskins won the NFC East that year. It remains the only time the team has won at least 10 games since 2006.

Finally, it was Gruden and now finally it isn’t. The franchise looks like a rudderless ship these days. They used a first-round pick on quarterback Dwayne Haskins and, in his lone relief appearance of the season, he threw three interceptions. Will he see the field anytime soon?

The winless Washington Redskins have gained the fifth-fewest total yards and allowed the fifth-most total yards per game in the league. There have been 11 turnovers in five games. Star left tackle Trent Williams remains a holdout. And Snyder is on his ninth different head coach in Callahan. Troubling times indeed for this club.