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Steve Spurrier resigned as coach of the Washington Redskins on Tuesday, ending a failed attempt to bring his Fun 'n' Gun offense to the NFL.
Spurrier quit three days after the Redskins finished 5-11, losing 10 of their last 12 games. He was 12-20 overall.
He walks away from the final three years of a five-year, $25 million contract, the richest ever for an NFL coach.
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Spurrier called Redskins owner Dan Snyder on Tuesday morning and offered his
resignation. Snyder accepted it with ``much regret,'' according to spokesman
Karl Swanson.
``It was totally unexpected,'' Swanson said.
Spurrier's replacement will be the fifth head coach since Snyder bought the team in 1999.
Spurrier said repeatedly in recent weeks that he planned to return for a third season, although there was wide speculation about his future with the Redskins.
Spurrier clashed with Snyder over personnel moves, particularly the owner's decision to cut quarterback Danny Wuerffel at the end of training camp.
But Spurrier also was hurt by an inability to enforce discipline on players, especially after defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis left to become the Cincinnati Bengals' head coach.
The Redskins set a franchise record for penalties this season, and players described a lax atmosphere in which tardiness was tolerated, cell phones rang during meetings and on-field errors weren't corrected at practice.
Spurrier was one of the most successful offensive coaches in college history, going 122-27-1 over 12 years in Florida with a high-powered pass-oriented offense that often produced lopsided scores.
He abruptly quit the Gators in January 2002 because he wanted to try his offense in the NFL. He brought several ex-Florida players to the Redskins in his first season -- which he later admitted was a mistake. He went 7-9 while making five changes at starting quarterback.
Snyder provided Spurrier with plenty of offensive talent last offseason, signing receiver Laveranues Coles and upgrading the offensive line. But the season went downhill quickly, first in a series of close losses, then later in embarrassing blowouts.
The Redskins lost their last two home games by a combined 58-7.
If Spurrier pursues another
NFL job, his new suitor would have to work out a deal with the Redskins, who
hold Spurrier's rights for the next three years.