Jim Zorn Named XFL Head Coach in Seattle
February 25, 2019 - XFL (XFL)
Seattle Sea Dragons News Release
SEATTLE, WA - The XFL today announced that former NFL quarterback and head coach Jim Zorn has been named the head coach and general manager of the new XFL team in Seattle.
"It's an exciting day when Jim Zorn returns to his professional football roots," said Oliver Luck, XFL Commissioner & CEO. "Jim comes to the XFL with terrific credentials as an NFL player and coach and a reputation for innovation. As the Seahawks first quarterback, he's well-known in the Pacific Northwest and he appreciates our vision to reimagine the game."
"I'm thrilled to be heading back to the sidelines, and I thank Vince McMahon and Oliver Luck for this opportunity," said Zorn. "It's not often that on the professional level a head coach also gets to choose his players, so this situation is truly unique. I'm looking forward to working with my coaches and staff to field a competitive, top-flight team for the amazing and loud football fans of the Pacific Northwest."
Zorn joins Bob Stoops (Dallas) and Pep Hamilton (Washington, D.C.) as XFL head coaches named to date.
Zorn spent 11 years as a quarterback in the NFL, having the distinction of being the expansion Seattle Seahawks' first signal caller in 1976 and remaining with the team through the 1984 season. He also played for the Green Bay Packers (1985), the CFL's Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1986) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1987). A rare left-handed passer, Zorn threw for more than 21,000 yards during his NFL career with 111 touchdowns and rushed for 1,504 yards scoring 17 touchdowns. He played college football as a quarterback at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, (Cal Poly Pomona) from 1973 to 1974.
Once he left the field, Zorn began a successful college coaching career in 1989 as an offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach at Boise State University. In 1992, he became offensive coordinator at Utah State University for three seasons before moving on to the University of Minnesota as quarterbacks coach from 1995 to 1996.
Zorn became an NFL coach in 1997. He served two stints with the Seahawks, first as an offensive assistant (1997) and then as quarterbacks coach (2001-2007). He also worked as quarterbacks coach for the Detroit Lions (1998-2000), Baltimore Ravens (2010), and Kansas City Chiefs (2011-2012). Quarterbacks benefitting from his expertise include Charlie Batch, Matt Hasselbeck, and Joe Flacco. Zorn was the head coach of the Washington Redskins in 2008 and 2009. He is a member of the Seahawks' Ring of Honor and recently served as a head coach for the 2019 Polynesian Bowl in Hawaii, an all-star game that annually showcases the nation's top 100 high school players.
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XFL Stories from February 25, 2019
- Jim Zorn Named XFL Head Coach in Seattle - Seattle Sea Dragons
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