Redskins hire Zorn as offensive coordinator

Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder hired Jim Zorn as the team’s new offensive coordinator today, according to an NFL source.

Zorn, the former Seattle Seahawks quarterback and the team’s quarterbacks coach for the last seven years, met with Snyder and executive vice president Vinny Cerrato on Wednesday at the Redskins owner’s Potomac home.

Zorn flew home without agreeing to a deal. But after weighing whether to remain with the Seahawks with the hope of moving up to offensive coordinator in 2009 after coach Mike Holmgren retires, Zorn opted for the promotion and a three-year, multimillion dollar deal.

The Redskins declined comment, and Zorn couldn’t be reached for comment.

Zorn’s hiring indicates that power at Redskin Park has shifted from the coaching wing of the building, where the now-retired Joe Gibbs served as the team’s coach and president the last four seasons, to the front office, where Snyder promoted Cerrato this week and gave him control of the roster.

The new coach — whether it’s Redskins assistant head coach-defense Gregg Williams, former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel, defensive coordinators Steve Spagnuolo of the Giants, Ron Meeks of Indianapolis and Jim Schwartz of Tennessee or New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels — would have no control over who will be running the offense.

That could tilt the balance away from McDaniels and toward a defensive coordinator, who might give the the offensive coordinator free reign. However, Snyder had apparently envisioned a team of Fassel, Zorn and Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, who is expected to remain with the Ravens to whom he’s under contract.

Zorn’s arrival would spell the end of associate head coach Al Saunders’ two-year tenure with the Redskins during which his pass-oriented philosophy never quite meshed with Gibbs’ preference for power football.

The Redskins were inconsistent on offense the last two seasons, ranking 13th in total yards in 2006 and 15th this season.

Saunders’ departure would also mean that quarterback Jason Campbell would have to learn a third offense in four NFL seasons after playing under four coordinators in four years at Auburn.

“The Seahawks have a good offense. They throw the ball a lot, which I definitely like,” Redskins receiver Reche Caldwell said.

The 54-year-old Zorn’s only previous experience as a coordinator was at Utah State from 1992 to 1994.

He worked with quarterbacks previously at Boise State and later at Minnesota before becoming an offensive assistant with the Seahawks in 1997.

Zorn coached Detroit’s quarterbacks from 1998 to 2000 before returning to Seattle, where he was the franchise’s starting quarterback for its first eight seasons.

Zorn set an expansion team record by passing for 2,571 yards as a rookie. He posted a career-high 82.4 passer rating in 1981 and split time with Dave Krieg in 1983, when the Seahawks made the playoffs for the first time.

Under Zorn’s tutelage, Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck rose from a little-used backup in Green Bay to a Pro Bowl selection and Super Bowl starter. This season, Hasselbeck set franchise records for passing yards (3,966) and completions (352).

The Seahawks eliminated the Redskins from the playoffs in two of the last three seasons.