Schottenheimer Is New Redskins Coach

Thursday, January 4th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) â€” For the past two years, Marty Schottenheimer got paid to say what he thought of Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder. Now, Snyder will be the one signing Schottenheimer's checks.

Having dispensed a few thoughts about Snyder â€” most of them very negative â€” as an analyst for ESPN, Schottenheimer admitted to a change of heart as he prepared to take over Thursday as the head coach and director of football operations of the Redskins.

``At first, I felt our management styles were not similar,'' said Schottenheimer, who had successful runs in Cleveland and Kansas City before leaving the Chiefs in January 1999. ``But when I met him, I found him to be a very engaging guy and totally committed to recapturing the winning tradition of the Washington Redskins. He has a tremendous passion for this organization.''

Schottenheimer gets a four-year, $10 million contract and will be answerable only to Snyder on football matters. He replaces interim coach Terry Robiskie, who coached the final three games after Norv Turner was fired.

With Snyder's meddlesome practices providing fodder for critics such as Schottenheimer, the Redskins finished the year as the most expensive disappointment in NFL history: 8-8 and out of the playoffs despite a record $100 million player payroll.

In the studio, Schottenheimer was not shy about his feelings about Snyder, particularly after the rookie owner dressed down Turner just outside the locker room immediately after a loss in Dallas last season.

This season, Schottenheimer mellowed somewhat, saying he came to respect Snyder's willingness to spend money to win. However, when asked on the air last month about the possibility of working for Snyder, Schottenheimer said: ``I don't think that our management styles are similar enough that we could coexist effectively.''

Now, Schottenheimer feels otherwise, apparently because he has received assurances that he will call most of the shots.

``Daniel Snyder is the owner of this football team,'' Schottenheimer said. ``But he has afforded me the opportunity to be involved in all the important decisions that affect the on-field success.''

Having bought the best players his money could buy, Snyder opened his pocketbook again and went after the most successful available coach he could find. Bill Parcells, Steve Spurrier and Butch Davis made it clear they weren't interested, so Snyder hired a coach whose .630 regular-season winning percentage is seventh best in NFL history.

``Marty Schottenheimer knows how to win, and that's what Redskins fans demand in a coach,'' Snyder said Wednesday. ``I believe we have a solid player foundation at the Redskins. We're now pairing that with a coach who understands what it takes to be successful in the NFL.''

Schottenheimer coached Cleveland from 1984-88 and made the playoffs each of his four full seasons. His teams won three AFC Central titles and twice lost to Denver in the AFC championship game, once after John Elway's famous 98-yard drive to tie the game, then again when Earnest Byner fumbled as he was going into the end zone for the tying touchdown.

Schottenheimer then coached the Chiefs from 1989-98, taking them to the playoffs seven times in 10 seasons. He resigned with three seasons left on his contract and began working for ESPN.

Schottenheimer's career regular-season record is 145-85-1, but he is just 5-11 in the playoffs. The 150 total wins are 12th most in league history. He said he decided to return to coaching ``because it's in my blood. It's who I am.''

Because Schottenheimer has a year remaining on his contract with the Chiefs, the Redskins gave Kansas City a third-round pick in each of the next two drafts as compensation.

Schottenheimer must decide how much of the current staff he wants to retain. Robiskie, who is popular with the players, has said he would be willing to remain as an assistant if the circumstances were right. Another popular assistant, defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes, transformed the defense into one of the best in the league this season.

``I would definitely want to have Ray Rhodes back,'' Pro Bowl defensive end Marco Coleman said. ``I hope it's not a move that makes Ray Rhodes uncomfortable.''

Otherwise, Coleman said he was happy with the selection.

``That was a pretty good choice,'' Coleman said. ``I grew up in Ohio and got a chance to watch him when he was with the Browns. I definitely respect what he's done with his teams.''