The Washington Redskins' Next Coach Is...History Says, Not Mike Shanahan

Do you remember the hype that surrounded the Marty Schottenheimer hiring by Daniel Snyder for his beloved Washington Redskins? 

How about the drama leading up to the much anticipated Steve Spurrier hiring?  Redskins fans sat around for weeks mulling over the rumors of Joe Gibbs’ return to Washington. 

Even as recent as this week, it was evident Vinny Cerrato would be gone as the public outcry grew for the hiring of Bruce Allen as GM.  Snyder was forced to play his hand before seasons end.

Obviously, I am being facetious with regards to all the Daniel Snyder moves in the past.  No one knew what his plans were during the developing stages of previous hirings.  The man made a billion dollars building and selling a PR firm.  He knows how to deflect, direct, manipulate, promote, and divert public opinion and attention. 

There is no more hated individual in Washington than Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, and he wouldn’t want it any other way.  You see, if the focus is on him and everything he does, attention is preoccupied.  Smoke and mirrors, that’s all.  So we’re watching the menacing figure in front of us.  Not the nervous little dweeb behind the curtain.

So you see, all the clamoring with regards to the Redskins hiring Mike Shanahan as their next head coach, it is just Snyder’s form of posturing.

He wants the media and public attention to focus on Shanahan, while he works behind the scenes negotiating with the next coach.

Snyder is not that sloppy to allow Shanahan’s name to just slip out.  It is out there for a reason.  Snyder is pulling the media’s strings yet again.  The puppet master wouldn’t have it any other way.

Weeks before Schottenheimer was hired, he ripped Snyder on the pregame show he worked for.  No one ever expected Snyder to hire Marty after the public lambasting he put him through. 

So when rumors surface that Bill Cowher would never work for Snyder or John Gruden is locked in a contact with ESPN, don’t believe what you see in the mirror.  It’s not real.  It’s Snyder’s world, and we just happen to be attached to the strings he is pulling.

Maybe Snyder is changing?  Perhaps he is hurt and humiliated by the revolting fans?  Maybe there is a well thought out plan involving Bruce Allen and Mike Shanahan?  But if history tells us anything, it shows a pattern of behavior.  And Snyder’s behavior during his 11 year tenure tells us to expect the unexpected.