The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Reunited: Shanahan joins Dockery, Williams in Washington
01.22.2010 | Football
Jan. 22, 2010
Former Longhorns WR Kyle Shanahan has been named offensive coordinator of the Washington Redskins, the organization has announced.
The move reunites Shanahan with former teammates OL Derrick Dockery and Mike Williams. All three were together during the 2000 and 2001 seasons, while Shanahan and Dockery were on the 2002 team. Rookie LB/DE Brian Orakpo rounds out the group of Longhorns in Washington.
Shanahan spent the previous four seasons with the Houston Texans, the final two as the team's offensive coordinator.
The 2009 Texans led the NFL in passing (4,654 yards) and ranked fourth in total offense (6,129 yards), both of which were franchise records. The Texans also set a franchise high touchdown passes (29).
With Shanahan calling the plays, quarterback Matt Schaub and wide receiver Andre Johnson formed one of the league's most dangerous tandems, with Schaub leading the NFL in completions (396), attempts (583), and passing yards (4,776) and Johnson ranking first in receiving yards (1,569) and third in receptions (101). Both Schaub and Johnson were selected for the 2010 Pro Bowl.
In Shanahan's first year as a coordinator (2008), the offense ranked third in the NFL, gaining a then franchise-record 6,113 yards and passing for a then franchise-record 4,267 yards. The offense was equally adept on the ground, running for 1,846 yards at a team record 4.3-yard clip. Shanahan helped a pair of players earn Pro Bowl nods, with wide receiver Andre Johnson making his third career trip and tight end Owen Daniels making his first after posting career highs in receptions (70) and receiving yards (862).
Shanahan coached the quarterbacks in 2007 and the wide receivers in 2006 before being named offensive coordinator on Jan. 11, 2008. He joined the Texans from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he served as offensive quality control coach during the 2004-05 seasons.
After leaving Texas, Shanahan spent the 2003 season as a graduate assistant at UCLA.
