Mike Shanahan agreed Tuesday to become the coach of the Washington Redskins, the latest step in a major overhaul of a troubled franchise.
Shanahan's decision to join the team was confirmed to the Associated Press by an official within the NFL. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team was not commenting on its coaching search.
The Redskins announced that they would hold a news conference today, although they did not say why.
The deal with Shanahan is for five years, The Denver Post reported on its Web site. The hire comes less than 48 hours after the Redskins fired Jim Zorn - and less than three weeks after front-office chief Vinny Cerrato resigned and was replaced by general manager Bruce Allen.
Shanahan will have the final authority on football decisions, according to ESPN.com.
Redskins running back Clinton Portis, who played for Shanahan in Denver, described the coach as "the perfect guy for the job" and a "straight shooter."
"If you're doing the stuff you're supposed to be doing, you're fine with him," Portis said. "If you're not, no matter how much you're getting paid, he's going to get you up out of there."
Shanahan, 57, has a 154-103 record, including playoffs, as an NFL head coach. He guided the Broncos to Super Bowl titles in 1997 and 1998, but with quarterback John Elway retiring after the 1998 season, Shanahan guided the Broncos to only one playoff victory in their next 10 seasons.
BROWNS: New president Mike Holmgren said first-year Cleveland coach Eric Mangini has a legitimate chance to return. Holmgren said he hopes to have a decision made by the end of the week.
Holmgren also said Eagles general manager Tom Heckert will interview for the Browns' GM opening.
BEARS: Chicago is bringing coach Lovie Smith back but fired offensive coordinator Ron Turner and five other assistants.
BUCCANEERS: Raheem Morris will return for a second season as coach.
BILLS: Buffalo special teams coordinator Bobby April has opted out of the final two years of his contract.
STEELERS: Pittsburgh quarterbacks coach Ken Anderson is retiring. He's a semifinalist this year for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
HONOR: Texans linebacker Brian Cushing, the 15th overall pick in the draft, was a runaway winner of the Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Cushing, who had 133 tackles, 86 of them primary, received 39 of 50 votes from sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the league. Bills safety Jairus Byrd was second with six votes.
SAINTS: Starting defensive end Charles Grant was placed on injured reserve with a triceps injury.
LOS ANGELES: The company behind a plan to lure the NFL back to the metropolitan area said the Jaguars and Bills are the first teams it will try to relocate.