In a pretty shocking move, Daniel Snyder has fired Al Saunders and Gregg Williams. Williams was thought to be the heir apparent to replace Joe Gibbs, but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore. From ESPN:

On a busy Saturday at Redskins Park, the team fired assistants Williams and Saunders, promoted Greg Blache to lead the team’s defense and formally announced the hiring of Jim Zorn to head the offense.

There was more. A person familiar with the coaching selection process told The Associated Press that linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti has agreed to a new contract. Running backs coach Earnest Byner, the only other assistant whose deal was about to expire, has been in talks with Tampa Bay about a job but would be welcome to return as well.

Chalk this up as a loss for the Redskins. Williams and that defense were often what kept the ‘Skins in games, and, to be honest, it’s not as if he was working with a defense loaded with Pro Bowl talent. He took what he was given, and he made it a top D week in and week out.

It shouldn’t take Williams too long to find a job; he’s arguably one of the best D-Coordinators in the game. Saunders, now, after the last couple of years, may have a bit harder of a time.