Redskins fire Turner, give Robiskie job

      
By Mark Maske
   The Washington Post

      
WASHINGTON - The Washington Redskins fired
      coach Norv Turner Monday and replaced him with the team's top
      offensive assistant and passing game coordinator, Terry Robiskie,
      for the remainder of the season.

      


      "This was something out of need," Daniel Snyder, the
      team's majority owner, said. "There are three games to go.
      We are in the playoff hunt. We felt it was in the best interests
      of the organization."

      


      Turner, 48, was emotional in his final day after nearly seven
      full years as head coach of the Redskins. "We all know at
      some point you're going to move on," he said. "It's
      time for me to move on."

      


      Turner's record since succeeding Richie Petitbon as head coach
      in 1994 was 49-59-1, with a postseason record of 1-1 after winning
      the NFC East last season with a 10-6 record. Turner's approximately
      $1 million-per-year contract was to run through the 2001 season.

      


      The Redskins also named longtime college coach Pepper Rodgers
      their vice president of football operations and fired special
      teams coach LeCharls McDaniel, giving that job to tight ends
      coach Pat Flaherty.

      


      Rodgers has the job of searching for a new head coach, with Robiskie
      "in the mix," according to Rodgers, if the Redskins
      (7-6) finish strong in their last three games and make the NFL
      playoffs.

      


      Robiskie began his introductory news conference by apologizing
      to the team's followers for its performance this season, and
      said: "I know I was a part of the process.  Our record being
      what it is has me standing here before you. I was a part of that.
      . . (But) I do believe sometimes a change is necessary. Sometimes
      a change is for the best.''

      


      Turner's fate was sealed with Sunday's 9-7 loss to the New York
      Giants at FedEx Field, which gave the Redskins four losses in
      their past five games. Snyder and his minority partner, 

      Fred Drasner, were particularly upset that Turner waited until
      eight minutes remained in the game before inserting Jeff George
      at quarterback for a struggling Brad Johnson. George almost rallied
      the team to victory.

      


      In a season that began with Super Bowl aspirations after Snyder
      assembled a squad with a league-high payroll of about $100 million,
      the Redskins, beset with injuries, face an uphill climb to qualify
      for the playoffs.

      


      "This team's problems were not Norv's fault," said
      NFL Hall of Fame coach John Madden, who was in the Fox-TV broadcasting
      booth for Sunday's loss. "I mean, look at the hand he was
      playing with. Sure, a lot of money was spent in the off season,
      but that doesn't stop guys from getting hurt. He's still trying
      to win with a kicker who's been in the league 19 years. He's
      got three 18-year guys. That's an old team in Washington."

      


      Robiskie will run the Redskins' offense while defensive coordinator
      Ray Rhodes will continue to run the defense. Rhodes apparently
      had no interest in being interim head coach. He joined the Redskins
      this season after being fired as a head coach by the Philadelphia
      Eagles and Green Bay Packers.

      


      Snyder met with Rhodes following Sunday's game, and Snyder said
      Monday: "We asked Ray if he felt the same way as when I
      hired him, and he said yes."

      


      If Robiskie doesn't secure the head coaching job for next season,
      Rodgers and director of player personnel Vinny Cerrato would
      help Snyder to pick a new coach.

      


      "We've decided to take a slow approach to what we're going
      to do," Snyder said. "This was not planned. We had
      no backup plans. We had not planned to lose Sunday's game."

      


      The Redskins have a list of coaching candidates for next season
      that apparently includes University of Miami coach Butch Davis,
      University of Florida coach Steve Spurrier and New York Jets
      executive Bill Parcells.

      


      The Redskins like Robiskie's intensity.

      


      "Everything I've ever done, I've done it through motivation,"
      Robiskie said. "Our season is a long way from being over.
      Hopefully we can win three in a row."
 

      
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