The search is over. The Skins hire Jim Zorn as Head Coach.

I really do not know what to make of this. The Danny hiring Jim Zorn as Head coach. I'm puzzled, perplexed, befuddled, confused, bewildered and any number of words synonymous with "What the F**k?!?"

Jim Zorn?!?

Jim Zorn, former Seattle Seahawks QB who has spent the years since his playing days coaching quarterbacks at places like Boise State, Utah, and Minnesota Universities; finally ending up as QB coach for his former team. Granted, Zorn is credited with taking Matt Hasselbeck from bumbling rookie to perennial pro-bowler, but does that make him HC material?

The spin from Redskins Park is, of course, overwhelmingly positive. The buzz is that Zorn, who by all accounts is a straight-talking, even-tempered, Christian gentleman, is, or could be, the second coming of Saint Joe: a Joe Gibbs Lite. Zorn gets high praise from Seattle players and coaches alike as a "players coach". That's all well and good provided he has the will and tenacity to stand up against The Danny when it comes to the personnel decisions for which Danny Boy has proven time and time again he has no skill at all. Fan reaction to Zorn has been more positive than expected, especially in the light of the vitriol spewed forth at the announcement that Jim Fassel was the leading candidate for the job.

Is Zorn the guy? Maybe. Maybe not. One thing is certain: he has his work cut out for him. He is taking over a team that wanted Gregg Williams as its next leader and is trying to maintain the cohesion as a unit forged last season. He has to work with a fickle owner who seemingly has no idea how to run a football team (will The Danny keep Zorn next year if he has a losing season and some bigger name coach i.e., Bill Cowher, becomes available?) . Finally, he has to appease a fan base which may cautiously support him in the beginning but will turn on him like a rabid dog should he stumble.

I, as a dyed-in-the-wool Skins fan, am willing to give Zorn the benefit of the doubt. As I have for the past 15 years, I'm approaching the 2008 season cautiously optimistic. If the Skins, with a new and unproven head coach, can make the playoffs again, I'll be ecstatic. If they manage a winning record, I'll be happy with that. If they completely implode, I'll say, "Saw that coming."