The Washington Redskins have interviewed one of the team's assistants for the head coaching position, the head of the group that monitors the Rooney Rule said Monday.
Fritz Pollard Alliance chairman John Wooten said secondary coach Jerry Gray interviewed with owner Dan Snyder several weeks ago for the job that is currently held by Jim Zorn.
NFL Network's Jason La Canfora first reported Dec. 19 that Gray interviewed for the head coaching job at Snyder's house the previous Tuesday. La Canfora also reported at that time that the Redskins had interviewed pro personnel director Morocco Brown for the team's general manager position before Vinny Cerrato was replaced by Bruce Allen.
Wooten said the interview satisfies the Rooney Rule that requires teams to talk to a minority candidate when filling a head coaching position. Wooten said it didn't matter that the job is not yet vacant.
"Dan Snyder handled it the way it should have been handled," Wooten said. "He made a call in and he did it the right way."
The news reaffirms the expectation Snyder will fire Zorn next week and replace him quickly. Former Denver coach Mike Shanahan is considered the favorite to get the job.
Zorn is nearing the end of his second season with the team. The Redskins are 4-11 with one game to play.
Last week, Gray gave confusing answers when asked whether he had interviewed for the job. He initially appeared to deny he had interviewed, then later amended the answer to "no comment."
Wooten said Gray interviewed before Dec. 17, when Cerrato resigned as head of the front office and Allen was hired as general manager. Because Allen is at least nominally in charge of hiring the new coach, Wooten said he would like to see Gray interview with Allen, but that it was not a requirement to satisfy the Rooney Rule.
Information from the Associated Press was included in this report.
