TFD: Nothing like getting fired before 5 a.m.

You have to get up pretty early in the morning to fire Jim Zorn.

January 4, 2010 at 10:40PM

The Washington Redskins apparently couldn't wait until the coffee was made ... or even for sunlight ... to fire head coach Jim Zorn today. We pulled out this little nugget from the Washington Post for your amusement and/or horror:

Zorn arrived at Redskins Park in his own car at roughly 2:15 a.m., about 15 minutes ahead of three team buses. Zorn headed into the office building through a side door, but many players and assistants -- including defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth and defensive coordinator Greg Blache -- went straight to their cars. Players and assistants were not immediately aware of Zorn's fate, and Blache, as he walked to his car, told media members to "let the dude go." At about 2:45 a.m., Redskins' security asked all media to leave the parking lot, a move made, according to one security official, so that Zorn wouldn't be bothered when he departed. Over the next two hours, players and coaches filtered from the facility. At 4:30 a.m., running backs coach Stump Mitchell left the building and got into his car. Zorn followed at 4:43 a.m., talking on his cell phone as he drove out of the parking lot.

Sounds like a fun night for all. And don't get confused between a.m. and p.m. in this case ... in the p.m. hours Monday, the Redskins were flying in new coach candidate Mike Shanahan on owner Daniel Snyder's private plane. If he takes the job, he might just have to chisel Zorn's name off the office door himself.

In any event, we leave you the opportunity to discuss any great firing stories from your past. Ours isn't a firing, per se, but it does involve an awful summer telemarketing job, a Friday morning (of week 1) and the decision to never return.

about the writer

about the writer

Michael Rand

Columnist / Reporter

Michael Rand is the Minnesota Star Tribune's Digital Sports Senior Writer and host/creator of the Daily Delivery podcast. In 25 years covering Minnesota sports at the Minnesota Star Tribune, he has seen just about everything (except, of course, a Vikings Super Bowl).

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