Redskins Hire Jim Haslett As Defensive Coordinator

The Mike Shanahan era is off to a good start, as the Redskins have hired Jim Haslett as their new defensive coordinator, according to the Associated Press. The news marks the second big hire within a week, as Shanahan hired his son, Kyle, to be his offensive coordinator.

Haslett will replace Greg Blache, who is expected to retire after spending the last two years as the 'Skins defensive coordinator.

Haslett was last in the league as an interim head coach for the St. Louis Rams in 2008. He went 2-10 as the interim coach, including a win over the Redskins, but was not retained when Steve Spagnuolo was named the new head coach.

After a year as a head coach for the Florida Tuskers in the new United Football League, Haslett returns for his fourth defensive coordinator position in the NFL. He was also the defensive coordinator for New Orleans and Pittsburgh in the late 1990s, and St. Louis from 2006-2007.

Haslett is best known for being the coach of the New Orleans Saints from 2000-2005. In his first season with New Orleans, Haslett led the Saints to a 10-6 record, a division championship, and their first playoff win in franchise history.

Five years later, Haslett's Saints fell to a 3-13 record, marred by the relocation of the team due to Hurricane Katrina. Despite his personal leadership, it was apparent that Haslett had lost a little bit of his luster and was subsequently fired. 

It has been rumored by ESPN's Matt Mosley that Mike Shanahan wants his defense to be a 3-4 scheme. For Haslett, it's a perfect fit, as he found success with his 3-4 scheme during his tenure in Pittsburgh.

The question for the Redskins now is finding players that could fit into the 3-4 scheme. After running a 4-3 for the last couple years, the defense could see a major revamping with new players coming in, old players leaving and some players changing positions. 

An interesting offseason became much more interesting with the hire of Haslett. Major personnel changes could be on the way for the 'Skins and some fan favorites could be shown the door.