WASHINGTON, D.C. – Former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan signed a five-year contract worth approximately $7 million per year to become head coach and executive VP of football operations for the Washington Redskins.Shanahan, who is the 7th coach in 11 years for owner Dan Snyder, is expected to hold ‘the ultimate authority on football decisions’ concerning player personnel while working closely with executive VP and general manager Bruce Allen.

Shanahan is bringing some family with him too. His son, former Houston Texans offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, will be the Redskins new offensive coordinator.

Shanahan replaces Jim Zorn who was fired shortly after the team’s final regular season game when they lost to the San Diego Chargers 23-20. The Redskins finished 4-12 (their worst record since 1994) and overall Zorn was 12-20 over two seasons, losing the last 18 of 24.

“The status quo has to end,” Allen said. “We have to change the way we’ve been doing some business. Last place two years in a row is not Redskins football.”

Snyder released a statement following the signing. “No one in the organization is satisfied with our record over the last two years and I am sure that Jim [Zorn] would concur with that statement. It has been painful for him, too. I certainly accept responsibility for mistakes that I have made.”

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DENVER – Don’t expect Travis Henry to play in the NFL for a very long time and probably never. The former Denver Broncos running back who is notorious for fathering nine children from nine different mothers appeared back in court this week.

But this time it wasn’t to discuss child support.

Henry was popped for allegedly participating in a drug deal Tuesday that was set up by the DEA. The DEA orchestrated the deal after Henry and an accomplice were identified as the dealers in a September cocaine deal that allegedly involved three kilos of coke and six pounds of pot.

Henry is now in prison drag after being jailed and accused of a laundry list of charges including conspiring to distribute cocaine. He has a hearing scheduled for Monday.

Henry was playing with a $22.5 million five-year contract with the Broncos until Denver Coach Mike Shanahan released him on June 2 saying the running back was “lacking commitment.”

It’s hard to choose but is this pathetically sad or just plain remarkably stupid?

After several other failed attempts, Henry has accomplished the feat this time, throwing a dream professional career out the window.

Henry who has 1488 carries for 6,086 yards and 38 TD’s over 7 years in the NFL, played one season for the Broncos, carrying the ball 167 times for 691 yards. After testing positive for drugs in Denver, he was suspended for one season but won an appeal against the NFL and was reinstated.

Shanahan publicly supported Henry back then and swore his RB was innocent and a victim.

Shanahan also praised NFL referee, Ed Hochuli after Hochuli blew an obvious call late in a game earlier this year, and handed Shanahan’s Broncos a victory against the Chargers. During that post-game press conference, Shanahan said, “That was the best crew we’ve had in 20 crews. They did a heck-of-a-job.”

When asked about Henry’s bust, this time Shanahan wisely refused to comment.

The charges against Henry carry a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $4 million fine.

Copyright © 2008 – Sports Climax