Redskins Fire Mike Shanahan

by Chuck Carroll       http://washington.cbslocal.com/

ASHBURN, Va. (CBSDC) — What began with so much promise and hype four years ago came to halt Monday as the Washington Redskins fired head coach Mike Shanahan.

Also gone are offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and quarterbacks coach Matt Lafleur.

The head coach’s dismissal was a move that was a long time coming and had to be made for many reasons. The reasons go well beyond an atrocious 3-13 2013 campaign — the team’s worst in 19 seasons.

Monday’s firing was almost like a release valve for the coach who was all smiles when he entered Redskins Park. He waived to reporters being kept outside the facility as he drove up to the gates.

“What’s going on today?” Shanahan jokingly asked one media member.

Roughly 45 minutes later he would be out of a job following a meeting with team owner Daniel Snyder.

“Redskins fans deserve a better result,” Snyder said. “We thank Mike for his efforts on behalf of the Redskins. We will focus on what it takes to build a winning team, and my pledge to this organization and to this community is to continue to commit the resources and talent necessary to put this team back in the playoffs.”

Shanahan was given the opportunity to speak with the media for a final time after his dismissal.

“I believe we’re better off today than we were four years ago,” Shanahan said.