Around the Zorn

Although Todd Haley and Jim Zorn are two very different people, there exist some similarities. These similarities are subtle, but they are there. It's not their personalities (they couldn't be more different), it's not their influences (Haley is from the Bill Parcells tree and Zorn from the Mike Holmgren tree), but it is the paths that both these coaches have taken.

Both Haley and Zorn are offensive minded guys, both served as coaches on teams that made it to the Super Bowl, both trained under great head coaches, and both were given their own head coaching positions because of their success on the sideline.

What happened after that, is what hopefully separates these two more than anything.

Zorn was given the headcoaching job with the Washington Redskins after originally being hired as the offensive coordinator that same year. Some would view his time in Washington as a failure. Zorn's record over two seasons was 12-20. He was fired after the conclusion of his second season.

Todd Haley, in his second season, silenced all thoughts about maybe replacing him. After going 4-12 in his first season, Haley followed it up with a 10-6 season and an AFC West Championship. Still, if next season ends up being a disaster, could Haley end up like Zorn? Fired, and reduced to lesser offensive position coaching?

I sure hope not, and I don't think even if next season is a disaster that Haley should be fired.

But mostly, I hope next season is not a disaster and that the failed head coach that Zorn was can complement the coach-on-the-rise that Haley appears to be (as weird as that sounds).