{"history":[],"article":{"id":"172f270e-96d6-48a6-8ce3-87c4802fbefb","title":"Jim Zorn","slug":"jim-zorn","content":":::summary\n![Zorn as Redskins head coach in 2009](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Coach///Jim///Zorn.jpg)\n**Number:** 10, 18, 15 \n**Position:** [Quarterback](https://bliptext.com/articles/quarterback) \n**Birth Date:** May 10, 1953 \n**Birth Place:** [Whittier, California](https://bliptext.com/articles/whittier-california), U.S. \n**Height Ft:** 6 \n**Height In:** 2 \n**Weight Lbs:** 200 \n**Undraftedyear:** 1975 \n**High School:** [Gahr](https://bliptext.com/articles/gahr-high-school) ([Cerritos, California](https://bliptext.com/articles/cerritos-california)) \n**College:** Cerritos College (1971–1972) · Cal Poly Pomona (1973–1974) \n**Pastteams:** [Dallas Cowboys](https://bliptext.com/articles/dallas-cowboys) ([1975](https://bliptext.com/articles/1975-nfl-season)) · [Seattle Seahawks](https://bliptext.com/articles/seattle-seahawks) ([1976](https://bliptext.com/articles/1976-nfl-season)–[1984](https://bliptext.com/articles/1984-nfl-season)) · [Green Bay Packers](https://bliptext.com/articles/green-bay-packers) ([1985](https://bliptext.com/articles/1985-nfl-season)) · [Winnipeg Blue Bombers](https://bliptext.com/articles/winnipeg-blue-bombers) · [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](https://bliptext.com/articles/tampa-bay-buccaneers) ([1987](https://bliptext.com/articles/1987-nfl-season)) \n**Pastcoaching:** [Boise State](https://bliptext.com/articles/boise-state-broncos-football) (1988–1991)
Offensive assistant & quarterbacks coach · [Utah State](https://bliptext.com/articles/utah-state-aggies-football) (1992–1994)
Offensive coordinator · [Minnesota](https://bliptext.com/articles/minnesota-golden-gophers-football) (1995–1996)
Quarterbacks coach · Seattle Seahawks ([1997](https://bliptext.com/articles/1997-nfl-season))
Offensive assistant · [Detroit Lions](https://bliptext.com/articles/detroit-lions) ([1998](https://bliptext.com/articles/1998-nfl-season)–[2000](https://bliptext.com/articles/2000-nfl-season))
Quarterbacks coach · Seattle Seahawks ([2001](https://bliptext.com/articles/2001-nfl-season)–[2007](https://bliptext.com/articles/2007-nfl-season))
Quarterbacks coach · [Washington Redskins](https://bliptext.com/articles/washington-redskins) ([2008](https://bliptext.com/articles/2008-nfl-season)–[2009](https://bliptext.com/articles/2009-nfl-season))
Head coach · [Baltimore Ravens](https://bliptext.com/articles/baltimore-ravens) ([2010](https://bliptext.com/articles/2010-nfl-season))
Quarterbacks coach · [Kansas City Chiefs](https://bliptext.com/articles/kansas-city-chiefs) ([2011](https://bliptext.com/articles/2011-nfl-season)–[2012](https://bliptext.com/articles/2012-nfl-season))
Quarterbacks coach · [Seattle Dragons](https://bliptext.com/articles/seattle-dragons)
Head coach & general manager \n**Statlabel 1:** [TD](https://bliptext.com/articles/touchdown)–[INT](https://bliptext.com/articles/interception) \n**Statvalue 1:** 111–141 \n**Statlabel 2:** Passing yards \n**Statvalue 2:** 21,115 \n**Statlabel 3:** [Passer rating](https://bliptext.com/articles/passer-rating) \n**Statvalue 3:** 67.3 \n**Statlabel 4:** Rushing yards \n**Statvalue 4:** 1,504 \n**Statlabel 5:** Rushing touchdowns \n**Statvalue 5:** 17 \n**Pfr:** ZornJi00 \n**Pfrcoach:** ZornJi0 \n**Highlights:** Second-team [All-Pro](https://bliptext.com/articles/all-pro) ([1978](https://bliptext.com/articles/1978-all-pro-team)) · [PFWA All-Rookie Team](https://bliptext.com/articles/pfwa-all-rookie-team) ([1976](https://bliptext.com/articles/pro-football-writers-of-america-nfl-all-rookie-team)) · [Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor](https://bliptext.com/articles/seattle-seahawks-ring-of-honor) \n**Regular Record:** NFL: .370 · XFL: .200 \n:::\n\n# \n**James Arthur Zorn** (born May 10, 1953) is an American former professional [football](https://bliptext.com/articles/american-football) player and coach.\nZorn was a left-handed [quarterback](https://bliptext.com/articles/quarterback), and is best known as the starting [quarterback](https://bliptext.com/articles/quarterback) of the [Seattle Seahawks](https://bliptext.com/articles/seattle-seahawks) for their first eight seasons.\nHe was the [quarterback coach](https://bliptext.com/articles/quarterback-coach) for the [Seattle Seahawks](https://bliptext.com/articles/seattle-seahawks) from 2001 until the 2007 season.\nBefore the 2008 season Zorn was originally hired by the [Washington Redskins](https://bliptext.com/articles/washington-redskins) to serve as offensive coordinator.\nTwo weeks after being hired, he was promoted as the team's head coach.\nShortly after being fired following the 2009 season, Zorn was hired as quarterbacks coach of the [Baltimore Ravens](https://bliptext.com/articles/baltimore-ravens).\nZorn spent one season as the Ravens' quarterback coach before serving two years as the quarterback coach of the [Kansas City Chiefs](https://bliptext.com/articles/kansas-city-chiefs) in 2011 and 2012.\nMost recently, Zorn was the head coach and general manager of the [Seattle Dragons](https://bliptext.com/articles/seattle-dragons) of the second incarnation of the [XFL](https://bliptext.com/articles/xfl-2020) prior to the league's folding midseason.\n\n# Early life\nBorn in [Whittier, California](https://bliptext.com/articles/whittier-california), Zorn attended [Gahr High School](https://bliptext.com/articles/gahr-high-school) in [Cerritos](https://bliptext.com/articles/cerritos-california), where he competed in football, [baseball](https://bliptext.com/articles/baseball), [basketball](https://bliptext.com/articles/basketball), [track](https://bliptext.com/articles/track-and-field), and [speed skating](https://bliptext.com/articles/speed-skating).\nHe didn't start playing organized football until his sophomore season.\nThe next year, Zorn broke his wrist after being put in at the end of a game to play quarterback.\nHe became a starter as a senior in 1970 and graduated in 1971.\nZorn played at the [junior college](https://bliptext.com/articles/california-community-college-athletic-association) level at [Cerritos College](https://bliptext.com/articles/cerritos-college) for two years.\nHe was benched midway through his sophomore season in 1972 because the head coach didn't like his leadership style.\nIn [1973](https://bliptext.com/articles/1973-cal-poly-pomona-broncos-football-team), he transferred to [Cal Poly Pomona](https://bliptext.com/articles/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona) after accepting their half-scholarship offer.\nAs a junior that season, he registered 2,367 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, receiving Little [All-American](https://bliptext.com/articles/all-american), Little All-Coast, and Southern California College Division Player of the Year honors.\nAs a senior in [1974](https://bliptext.com/articles/1974-cal-poly-pomona-broncos-football-team), Zorn's play was affected by coaching changes, posting 1,783 passing yards and six touchdowns.\nHe finished his collegiate career with ten school records, 5,314 total yards, 4,150 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, 1,164 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns.\nZorn also threw the [javelin](https://bliptext.com/articles/javelin-throw) for the Broncos' track team.\n\n# Professional career\nZorn was signed as an [undrafted free agent](https://bliptext.com/articles/undrafted-free-agent) by the [Dallas Cowboys](https://bliptext.com/articles/dallas-cowboys) in [1975](https://bliptext.com/articles/1975-nfl-season), the same year they had their famed [Dirty Dozen draft](https://bliptext.com/articles/dirty-dozen-american-football).\nHe was the Cowboys' last cut two days before the start of the [1975 season](https://bliptext.com/articles/1975-nfl-season), to make room for [running back](https://bliptext.com/articles/running-back) [Preston Pearson](https://bliptext.com/articles/preston-pearson), who had been waived by the [Pittsburgh Steelers](https://bliptext.com/articles/pittsburgh-steelers).\nHe had a try-out with the [Los Angeles Rams](https://bliptext.com/articles/los-angeles-rams), but was not signed.\nThe [Seattle Seahawks](https://bliptext.com/articles/seattle-seahawks) signed him as a [free agent](https://bliptext.com/articles/free-agent) in [1976](https://bliptext.com/articles/1976-nfl-season), reuniting with [Dick Mansperger](https://bliptext.com/articles/dick-mansperger), who was the Cowboys' director of player personnel the previous year.\nHe would become a star starting QB for the Seahawks in their early days from 1976 to 1983, before his position was taken by [Dave Krieg](https://bliptext.com/articles/dave-krieg) and he was demoted to second-string quarterback midway through the 1983 season.\nHe held second-string/backup quarterback positions with the Seahawks (1983–84), the Packers (1985), the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (1986), and the [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](https://bliptext.com/articles/tampa-bay-buccaneers) (1987), before retiring from football following the 1987 NFL season.\n\n## Seattle Seahawks (1976–84)\nAfter spending a year out of football, he signed as a [free agent](https://bliptext.com/articles/free-agent) with the [Seattle Seahawks](https://bliptext.com/articles/seattle-seahawks) in [1976](https://bliptext.com/articles/1976-seattle-seahawks-season).\nZorn is closely associated with his favorite passing target, [Hall of Fame](https://bliptext.com/articles/pro-football-hall-of-fame) [wide receiver](https://bliptext.com/articles/wide-receiver) [Steve Largent](https://bliptext.com/articles/steve-largent).\nLargent was the first Seahawk inducted into the team's \"Ring of Honor\" (1989), and Zorn was second (1991).\nZorn was named AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year by the [National Football League Players Association](https://bliptext.com/articles/national-football-league-players-association) following the team's inaugural 1976 season.\nHe was also the Seahawks' team [MVP](https://bliptext.com/articles/most-valuable-player), throwing for 12 touchdowns and rushing for four touchdowns.\nHis three consecutive 3,000-yard seasons were tops in team history, since broken by [Matt Hasselbeck](https://bliptext.com/articles/matt-hasselbeck) in 2005, and he was the first Seattle quarterback to record back-to-back 300-plus yard games—a feat he accomplished twice.\nHe earned second-team All-Pro honors for the [1978 season](https://bliptext.com/articles/1978-seattle-seahawks-season), when the Seahawks had the third-best offense in the league.\nHe was succeeded by [Dave Krieg](https://bliptext.com/articles/dave-krieg) midway through the [1983](https://bliptext.com/articles/1983-seattle-seahawks-season) season, the year the Seahawks first made the NFL playoffs.\nZorn stayed with the team as a second-string quarterback until the end of the [1984](https://bliptext.com/articles/1984-seattle-seahawks-season) season.\nZorn was well known as one of the more prolific scrambling quarterbacks of his day, and he was named the eighth-best mobile quarterback by NFL.com in 2008.\n\n## Green Bay Packers and Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1985–86)\nThe [Green Bay Packers](https://bliptext.com/articles/green-bay-packers) signed Zorn to the second-string quarterback position in [1985](https://bliptext.com/articles/1985-green-bay-packers-season).\nThe Packers finished the season 8–8, 2nd in the NFC Central, but did not make the playoffs.\nThe Packers released Zorn in the off-season, and he decided to take a season off from the NFL and signed on to a backup quarterback position with the [CFL](https://bliptext.com/articles/canadian-football-league)'s [Winnipeg Blue Bombers](https://bliptext.com/articles/winnipeg-blue-bombers) in 1986, where he dressed for nine games before leaving the team and being released once again.\n\n## Tampa Bay Buccaneers and retirement (1987)\nZorn returned to the NFL in [1987](https://bliptext.com/articles/1987-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season) with the [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](https://bliptext.com/articles/tampa-bay-buccaneers).\nHe played one final game as a replacement player during the 1987 NFL strike before officially retiring.\nThe 1987 Bucs finished the season 4–11 and missed the playoffs.\nIn the NFL, Zorn threw for 21,115 yards and 111 touchdowns, completing 53% of his passes.\nHe also ran for another 17 touchdowns.\n\n# NFL career statistics\n\n# Coaching career\n\n## College assistant coach (1988–96)\nAfter his playing career concluded, Zorn returned to [college football](https://bliptext.com/articles/college-football) as an assistant coach.\nHis first stop was at [Boise State University](https://bliptext.com/articles/boise-state-broncos-football), in the [Big Sky Conference](https://bliptext.com/articles/big-sky-conference), where he was the quarterbacks coach for four seasons under head coach [Skip Hall](https://bliptext.com/articles/skip-hall), from 1988 to 1991.\nHe then served as the offensive coordinator for [Utah State](https://bliptext.com/articles/utah-state-aggies-football) from 1992 to 1994.\nFrom 1995 to 1996 Zorn coached the quarterbacks at the [Minnesota Golden Gophers football](https://bliptext.com/articles/university-of-minnesota).\n\n## NFL assistant coach (1997–2007, 2010–12)\nZorn moved up to the pro coaching ranks in [1997](https://bliptext.com/articles/1997-seattle-seahawks-season) with the Seattle Seahawks as quarterbacks coach under head coach [Dennis Erickson](https://bliptext.com/articles/dennis-erickson).\nHe then spent three seasons with the [Detroit Lions](https://bliptext.com/articles/detroit-lions) ([1998](https://bliptext.com/articles/[1998](https://bliptext.com/articles/1998-detroit-lions-season)-detroit-lions-season)–[2000](https://bliptext.com/articles/2000-detroit-lions-season)) under head coach [Bobby Ross](https://bliptext.com/articles/bobby-ross), and was instrumental in the development of rookie quarterback [Charlie Batch](https://bliptext.com/articles/charlie-batch) in [1998](https://bliptext.com/articles/[1998](https://bliptext.com/articles/1998-detroit-lions-season)-detroit-lions-season).\nBatch's 88.3 passer rating that season ranks as the fourth-highest rookie mark in NFL history.\nHe returned to Seattle in [2001](https://bliptext.com/articles/2001-seattle-seahawks-season) and worked with head coach [Mike Holmgren](https://bliptext.com/articles/mike-holmgren) and offensive coordinator [Gil Haskell](https://bliptext.com/articles/gil-haskell) in implementing the team's offense while also furthering the development of the team's quarterbacks.\nIn [2003](https://bliptext.com/articles/2003-seattle-seahawks-season), Zorn tutored [Matt Hasselbeck](https://bliptext.com/articles/matt-hasselbeck), who set a franchise record with 3,841 passing yards.\nHasselbeck became the franchise's most-efficient passer (85.1 rating) while joining Zorn as the only Seahawks’ quarterback to pass for 3,000-plus yards in three consecutive seasons.\nIn 2007 under Zorn, Hasselbeck set Seattle single-season marks for attempts (562), completions (352) and yards (3,966).\nHe also threw for a career-high 28 touchdowns en route to his third [Pro Bowl](https://bliptext.com/articles/pro-bowl) selection.\nAfter two seasons as head coach of the [Washington Redskins](https://bliptext.com/articles/washington-redskins), Zorn was hired in [2010](https://bliptext.com/articles/2010-baltimore-ravens-season) by the [Baltimore Ravens](https://bliptext.com/articles/baltimore-ravens) as their quarterbacks coach to replace [Hue Jackson](https://bliptext.com/articles/hue-jackson), who departed to the [Oakland Raiders](https://bliptext.com/articles/2010-oakland-raiders-season).\nUnder Zorn, quarterback [Joe Flacco](https://bliptext.com/articles/joe-flacco) reached career high totals in touchdowns (25) and quarterback rating (93.6), as well as a career-low 10 interceptions.\nThe Ravens also improved from 9-7 the previous season to 12–4.\nDespite this, Zorn was fired by the Ravens at the end of the season.\nFlacco gave Zorn his approval and support, vocally objecting to the firing.\nHe was hired in [2011](https://bliptext.com/articles/2011-kansas-city-chiefs-season) by the [Kansas City Chiefs](https://bliptext.com/articles/kansas-city-chiefs) as their quarterbacks coach and stayed through the [2012](https://bliptext.com/articles/2012-kansas-city-chiefs-season) season.\nWhen [Andy Reid](https://bliptext.com/articles/andy-reid) took over as head coach after the 2012 season, he brought in a brand new coaching staff.\n\n## NFL head coach (2008–09)\nAfter Washington Redskins head coach [Joe Gibbs](https://bliptext.com/articles/joe-gibbs) retired in January 2008, owner [Daniel Snyder](https://bliptext.com/articles/daniel-snyder) hired Zorn as the team's new offensive coordinator.\nIn a surprise move, Snyder made him the Redskins' new head coach, on February 10, 2008, having never served as a coordinator at the pro level.\nHe was the fourth head coach hired by Snyder since he bought the team in 1999.\nZorn earned his first professional coaching victory with a 29–24 win over the [New Orleans Saints](https://bliptext.com/articles/new-orleans-saints) in week 2 of the 2008 NFL season.\nIn week 4 of the 2008 season, Zorn became the only Redskins head coach to win his first game at [Texas Stadium](https://bliptext.com/articles/texas-stadium) against the rival [Dallas Cowboys](https://bliptext.com/articles/dallas-cowboys) (2008 was the Cowboys' last year at their stadium in [Irving, Texas](https://bliptext.com/articles/irving-texas), which opened in October 1971. The Cowboys moved to [Cowboys Stadium](https://bliptext.com/articles/cowboys-stadium) for the 2009 season. [George Allen](https://bliptext.com/articles/george-allen-american-football-coach) won his first game vs. the Cowboys in Dallas as Redskins' coach in 1971, but that game was played at the [Cotton Bowl](https://bliptext.com/articles/cotton-bowl-stadium).).\nZorn complemented the Redskins’ bruising running attack with his version of the [West Coast Offense](https://bliptext.com/articles/west-coast-offense), a combination that helped the Redskins finish eighth in the NFL in rushing yards per game (130.9).\nZorn started his tenure with the Redskins by leading the team to a 6–2 record for the first half of the season, but subsequently finished the season going 2–6 with an overall 8–8 record.\nHowever Zorn's new offense produced four starters who earned Pro Bowl honors.\nRunning back [Clinton Portis](https://bliptext.com/articles/clinton-portis), finished fourth in the NFL in rushing yards (1,487).\nTight end [Chris Cooley](https://bliptext.com/articles/chris-cooley-american-football) earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl appearance and led the team with a career-high 83 receptions for 849 yards.\nOffensive Tackle [Chris Samuels](https://bliptext.com/articles/chris-samuels) earned his sixth Pro Bowl appearance—marking the third-most in franchise history, while fullback [Mike Sellers](https://bliptext.com/articles/mike-sellers) earned his first Pro Bowl selection in his eighth NFL season.\nSix games into the 2009 season, with a record of two wins and four losses, the Washington Redskins relieved Zorn of offensive play calling duties, assigning them to assistant coach [Sherman Lewis](https://bliptext.com/articles/sherman-lewis) following the Redskins' loss to the [Kansas City Chiefs](https://bliptext.com/articles/kansas-city-chiefs) on October 18.\nIn the early morning of January 4, 2010, it was reported that Zorn had been fired after the final game of the regular season, a loss to the [San Diego Chargers](https://bliptext.com/articles/san-diego-chargers).\nHe failed to make the [playoffs](https://bliptext.com/articles/playoffs) in either of his seasons as head coach of the Redskins.\nHe was replaced by former Broncos coach [Mike Shanahan](https://bliptext.com/articles/mike-shanahan).\nJim Zorn has since given a series of interviews with the local Washington, D.C. networks in which he expressed disappointment in the handling of his dismissal.\n\n## XFL (2020)\nOn February 25, 2019, Zorn was announced to be the GM and head coach of the [Seattle Dragons](https://bliptext.com/articles/seattle-dragons).\nHe was not retained after the league's bankruptcy and sale.\n\n# Head coaching record\n\n## NFL\n\n## XFL\n\n# Personal life\nZorn and his wife, Joy, have four children: daughters Rachael, Sarah, and Danielle and son Isaac.\nJim and Joy Zorn are active in Medical Teams International and Pro Athletes Outreach.\nMedical Teams International is dedicated to implementing and supporting programs that address the causes and effects of inadequate health care worldwide.\nJim Zorn currently resides with his wife on [Mercer Island](https://bliptext.com/articles/mercer-island), a suburb of [Seattle](https://bliptext.com/articles/seattle).\nThe couple is active in the local community, and attend Encounter Church.\nZorn is noted for his interest in mountain biking, kayaking and other outdoor sports.\nHe has continued to mountain bike even as he approaches the age of 70.\nWhen he was a player with the Seattle Seahawks, he experimented with building bikes for off-road riding with the help of the owner of Mercer Island Cyclery.\nZorn was inducted into the State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame during a pregame ceremony prior to Washington's game at Seattle on November 23, 2008.","current_revision":null,"created_by":"kACnuQmH5k9Nr5VNVEpVeg7XpvUmMctD","created_at":"2025-01-25T22:16:30.206Z","updated_at":"2025-01-25T22:16:30.206Z","search_vector":"'jim':1 'zorn':2","search_content":" \n \n**Number:** 10, 18, 15 \n**Position:** [Quarterback](https://bliptext.com/articles/quarterback) \n**Birth Date:** May 10, 1953 \n**Birth Place:** [Whittier, California](https://bliptext.com/articles/whittier-california), U.S. \n**Height Ft:** 6 \n**Height In:** 2 \n**Weight Lbs:** 200 \n**Undraftedyear:** 1975 \n**High School:** [Gahr](https://bliptext.com/articles/gahr-high-school) ([Cerritos, California](https://bliptext.com/articles/cerritos-california)) \n**College:** Cerritos College (1971–1972) · Cal Poly Pomona (1973–1974) \n**Pastteams:** [Dallas Cowboys](https://bliptext.com/articles/dallas-cowboys) ([1975](https://bliptext.com/articles/1975-nfl-season)) · [Seattle Seahawks](https://bliptext.com/articles/seattle-seahawks) ([1976](https://bliptext.com/articles/1976-nfl-season)–[1984](https://bliptext.com/articles/1984-nfl-season)) · [Green Bay Packers](https://bliptext.com/articles/green-bay-packers) ([1985](https://bliptext.com/articles/1985-nfl-season)) · [Winnipeg Blue Bombers](https://bliptext.com/articles/winnipeg-blue-bombers) · [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](https://bliptext.com/articles/tampa-bay-buccaneers) ([1987](https://bliptext.com/articles/1987-nfl-season)) \n**Pastcoaching:** [Boise State](https://bliptext.com/articles/boise-state-broncos-football) (1988–1991) Offensive assistant & quarterbacks coach · [Utah State](https://bliptext.com/articles/utah-state-aggies-football) (1992–1994) Offensive coordinator · [Minnesota](https://bliptext.com/articles/minnesota-golden-gophers-football) (1995–1996) Quarterbacks coach · Seattle Seahawks ([1997](https://bliptext.com/articles/1997-nfl-season)) Offensive assistant · [Detroit Lions](https://bliptext.com/articles/detroit-lions) ([1998](https://bliptext.com/articles/1998-nfl-season)–[2000](https://bliptext.com/articles/2000-nfl-season)) Quarterbacks coach · Seattle Seahawks ([2001](https://bliptext.com/articles/2001-nfl-season)–[2007](https://bliptext.com/articles/2007-nfl-season)) Quarterbacks coach · [Washington Redskins](https://bliptext.com/articles/washington-redskins) ([2008](https://bliptext.com/articles/2008-nfl-season)–[2009](https://bliptext.com/articles/2009-nfl-season)) Head coach · [Baltimore Ravens](https://bliptext.com/articles/baltimore-ravens) ([2010](https://bliptext.com/articles/2010-nfl-season)) Quarterbacks coach · [Kansas City Chiefs](https://bliptext.com/articles/kansas-city-chiefs) ([2011](https://bliptext.com/articles/2011-nfl-season)–[2012](https://bliptext.com/articles/2012-nfl-season)) Quarterbacks coach · [Seattle Dragons](https://bliptext.com/articles/seattle-dragons) Head coach & general manager \n**Statlabel 1:** [TD](https://bliptext.com/articles/touchdown)–[INT](https://bliptext.com/articles/interception) \n**Statvalue 1:** 111–141 \n**Statlabel 2:** Passing yards \n**Statvalue 2:** 21,115 \n**Statlabel 3:** [Passer rating](https://bliptext.com/articles/passer-rating) \n**Statvalue 3:** 67.3 \n**Statlabel 4:** Rushing yards \n**Statvalue 4:** 1,504 \n**Statlabel 5:** Rushing touchdowns \n**Statvalue 5:** 17 \n**Pfr:** ZornJi00 \n**Pfrcoach:** ZornJi0 \n**Highlights:** Second-team [All-Pro](https://bliptext.com/articles/all-pro) ([1978](https://bliptext.com/articles/1978-all-pro-team)) · [PFWA All-Rookie Team](https://bliptext.com/articles/pfwa-all-rookie-team) ([1976](https://bliptext.com/articles/pro-football-writers-of-america-nfl-all-rookie-team)) · [Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor](https://bliptext.com/articles/seattle-seahawks-ring-of-honor) \n**Regular Record:** NFL: .370 · XFL: .200 \n \n\n# \n**James Arthur Zorn** (born May 10, 1953) is an American former professional [football](https://bliptext.com/articles/american-football) player and coach.\nZorn was a left-handed [quarterback](https://bliptext.com/articles/quarterback), and is best known as the starting [quarterback](https://bliptext.com/articles/quarterback) of the [Seattle Seahawks](https://bliptext.com/articles/seattle-seahawks) for their first eight seasons.\nHe was the [quarterback coach](https://bliptext.com/articles/quarterback-coach) for the [Seattle Seahawks](https://bliptext.com/articles/seattle-seahawks) from 2001 until the 2007 season.\nBefore the 2008 season Zorn was originally hired by the [Washington Redskins](https://bliptext.com/articles/washington-redskins) to serve as offensive coordinator.\nTwo weeks after being hired, he was promoted as the team's head coach.\nShortly after being fired following the 2009 season, Zorn was hired as quarterbacks coach of the [Baltimore Ravens](https://bliptext.com/articles/baltimore-ravens).\nZorn spent one season as the Ravens' quarterback coach before serving two years as the quarterback coach of the [Kansas City Chiefs](https://bliptext.com/articles/kansas-city-chiefs) in 2011 and 2012.\nMost recently, Zorn was the head coach and general manager of the [Seattle Dragons](https://bliptext.com/articles/seattle-dragons) of the second incarnation of the [XFL](https://bliptext.com/articles/xfl-2020) prior to the league's folding midseason.\n\n# Early life\nBorn in [Whittier, California](https://bliptext.com/articles/whittier-california), Zorn attended [Gahr High School](https://bliptext.com/articles/gahr-high-school) in [Cerritos](https://bliptext.com/articles/cerritos-california), where he competed in football, [baseball](https://bliptext.com/articles/baseball), [basketball](https://bliptext.com/articles/basketball), [track](https://bliptext.com/articles/track-and-field), and [speed skating](https://bliptext.com/articles/speed-skating).\nHe didn't start playing organized football until his sophomore season.\nThe next year, Zorn broke his wrist after being put in at the end of a game to play quarterback.\nHe became a starter as a senior in 1970 and graduated in 1971.\nZorn played at the [junior college](https://bliptext.com/articles/california-community-college-athletic-association) level at [Cerritos College](https://bliptext.com/articles/cerritos-college) for two years.\nHe was benched midway through his sophomore season in 1972 because the head coach didn't like his leadership style.\nIn [1973](https://bliptext.com/articles/1973-cal-poly-pomona-broncos-football-team), he transferred to [Cal Poly Pomona](https://bliptext.com/articles/california-state-polytechnic-university-pomona) after accepting their half-scholarship offer.\nAs a junior that season, he registered 2,367 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, receiving Little [All-American](https://bliptext.com/articles/all-american), Little All-Coast, and Southern California College Division Player of the Year honors.\nAs a senior in [1974](https://bliptext.com/articles/1974-cal-poly-pomona-broncos-football-team), Zorn's play was affected by coaching changes, posting 1,783 passing yards and six touchdowns.\nHe finished his collegiate career with ten school records, 5,314 total yards, 4,150 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, 1,164 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns.\nZorn also threw the [javelin](https://bliptext.com/articles/javelin-throw) for the Broncos' track team.\n\n# Professional career\nZorn was signed as an [undrafted free agent](https://bliptext.com/articles/undrafted-free-agent) by the [Dallas Cowboys](https://bliptext.com/articles/dallas-cowboys) in [1975](https://bliptext.com/articles/1975-nfl-season), the same year they had their famed [Dirty Dozen draft](https://bliptext.com/articles/dirty-dozen-american-football).\nHe was the Cowboys' last cut two days before the start of the [1975 season](https://bliptext.com/articles/1975-nfl-season), to make room for [running back](https://bliptext.com/articles/running-back) [Preston Pearson](https://bliptext.com/articles/preston-pearson), who had been waived by the [Pittsburgh Steelers](https://bliptext.com/articles/pittsburgh-steelers).\nHe had a try-out with the [Los Angeles Rams](https://bliptext.com/articles/los-angeles-rams), but was not signed.\nThe [Seattle Seahawks](https://bliptext.com/articles/seattle-seahawks) signed him as a [free agent](https://bliptext.com/articles/free-agent) in [1976](https://bliptext.com/articles/1976-nfl-season), reuniting with [Dick Mansperger](https://bliptext.com/articles/dick-mansperger), who was the Cowboys' director of player personnel the previous year.\nHe would become a star starting QB for the Seahawks in their early days from 1976 to 1983, before his position was taken by [Dave Krieg](https://bliptext.com/articles/dave-krieg) and he was demoted to second-string quarterback midway through the 1983 season.\nHe held second-string/backup quarterback positions with the Seahawks (1983–84), the Packers (1985), the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (1986), and the [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](https://bliptext.com/articles/tampa-bay-buccaneers) (1987), before retiring from football following the 1987 NFL season.\n\n## Seattle Seahawks (1976–84)\nAfter spending a year out of football, he signed as a [free agent](https://bliptext.com/articles/free-agent) with the [Seattle Seahawks](https://bliptext.com/articles/seattle-seahawks) in [1976](https://bliptext.com/articles/1976-seattle-seahawks-season).\nZorn is closely associated with his favorite passing target, [Hall of Fame](https://bliptext.com/articles/pro-football-hall-of-fame) [wide receiver](https://bliptext.com/articles/wide-receiver) [Steve Largent](https://bliptext.com/articles/steve-largent).\nLargent was the first Seahawk inducted into the team's \"Ring of Honor\" (1989), and Zorn was second (1991).\nZorn was named AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year by the [National Football League Players Association](https://bliptext.com/articles/national-football-league-players-association) following the team's inaugural 1976 season.\nHe was also the Seahawks' team [MVP](https://bliptext.com/articles/most-valuable-player), throwing for 12 touchdowns and rushing for four touchdowns.\nHis three consecutive 3,000-yard seasons were tops in team history, since broken by [Matt Hasselbeck](https://bliptext.com/articles/matt-hasselbeck) in 2005, and he was the first Seattle quarterback to record back-to-back 300-plus yard games—a feat he accomplished twice.\nHe earned second-team All-Pro honors for the [1978 season](https://bliptext.com/articles/1978-seattle-seahawks-season), when the Seahawks had the third-best offense in the league.\nHe was succeeded by [Dave Krieg](https://bliptext.com/articles/dave-krieg) midway through the [1983](https://bliptext.com/articles/1983-seattle-seahawks-season) season, the year the Seahawks first made the NFL playoffs.\nZorn stayed with the team as a second-string quarterback until the end of the [1984](https://bliptext.com/articles/1984-seattle-seahawks-season) season.\nZorn was well known as one of the more prolific scrambling quarterbacks of his day, and he was named the eighth-best mobile quarterback by NFL.com in 2008.\n\n## Green Bay Packers and Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1985–86)\nThe [Green Bay Packers](https://bliptext.com/articles/green-bay-packers) signed Zorn to the second-string quarterback position in [1985](https://bliptext.com/articles/1985-green-bay-packers-season).\nThe Packers finished the season 8–8, 2nd in the NFC Central, but did not make the playoffs.\nThe Packers released Zorn in the off-season, and he decided to take a season off from the NFL and signed on to a backup quarterback position with the [CFL](https://bliptext.com/articles/canadian-football-league)'s [Winnipeg Blue Bombers](https://bliptext.com/articles/winnipeg-blue-bombers) in 1986, where he dressed for nine games before leaving the team and being released once again.\n\n## Tampa Bay Buccaneers and retirement (1987)\nZorn returned to the NFL in [1987](https://bliptext.com/articles/1987-tampa-bay-buccaneers-season) with the [Tampa Bay Buccaneers](https://bliptext.com/articles/tampa-bay-buccaneers).\nHe played one final game as a replacement player during the 1987 NFL strike before officially retiring.\nThe 1987 Bucs finished the season 4–11 and missed the playoffs.\nIn the NFL, Zorn threw for 21,115 yards and 111 touchdowns, completing 53% of his passes.\nHe also ran for another 17 touchdowns.\n\n# NFL career statistics\n\n# Coaching career\n\n## College assistant coach (1988–96)\nAfter his playing career concluded, Zorn returned to [college football](https://bliptext.com/articles/college-football) as an assistant coach.\nHis first stop was at [Boise State University](https://bliptext.com/articles/boise-state-broncos-football), in the [Big Sky Conference](https://bliptext.com/articles/big-sky-conference), where he was the quarterbacks coach for four seasons under head coach [Skip Hall](https://bliptext.com/articles/skip-hall), from 1988 to 1991.\nHe then served as the offensive coordinator for [Utah State](https://bliptext.com/articles/utah-state-aggies-football) from 1992 to 1994.\nFrom 1995 to 1996 Zorn coached the quarterbacks at the [Minnesota Golden Gophers football](https://bliptext.com/articles/university-of-minnesota).\n\n## NFL assistant coach (1997–2007, 2010–12)\nZorn moved up to the pro coaching ranks in [1997](https://bliptext.com/articles/1997-seattle-seahawks-season) with the Seattle Seahawks as quarterbacks coach under head coach [Dennis Erickson](https://bliptext.com/articles/dennis-erickson).\nHe then spent three seasons with the [Detroit Lions](https://bliptext.com/articles/detroit-lions) ([[1998](https://bliptext.com/articles/1998-detroit-lions-season)](https://bliptext.com/articles/[1998](https://bliptext.com/articles/1998-detroit-lions-season)-detroit-lions-season)–[2000](https://bl iptext.com/articles/2000-detroit-lions-season)) under head coach [Bobby Ross](https://bliptext.com/articles/bobby-ross), and was instrumental in the development of rookie quarterback [Charlie Batch](https://bliptext.com/articles/charlie-batch) in [[1998](https://bliptext.com/articles/1998-detroit-lions-season)](https://bliptext.com/articles/[1998](https://bliptext.com/articles/1998-detroit-lions-season)-detroit-lions-season).\nBatch's 88.3 passer rating that season ranks as the fourth-highest rookie mark in NFL history.\nHe returned to Seattle in [2001](https://bliptext.com/articles/2001-seattle-seahawks-season) and worked with head coach [Mike Holmgren](https://bliptext.com/articles/mike-holmgren) and offensive coordinator [Gil Haskell](https://bliptext.com/articles/gil-haskell) in implementing the team's offense while also furthering the development of the team's quarterbacks.\nIn [2003](https://bliptext.com/articles/2003-seattle-seahawks-season), Zorn tutored [Matt Hasselbeck](https://bliptext.com/articles/matt-hasselbeck), who set a franchise record with 3,841 passing yards.\nHasselbeck became the franchise's most-efficient passer (85.1 rating) while joining Zorn as the only Seahawks’ quarterback to pass for 3,000-plus yards in three consecutive seasons.\nIn 2007 under Zorn, Hasselbeck set Seattle single-season marks for attempts (562), completions (352) and yards (3,966).\nHe also threw for a career-high 28 touchdowns en route to his third [Pro Bowl](https://bliptext.com/articles/pro-bowl) selection.\nAfter two seasons as head coach of the [Washington Redskins](https://bliptext.com/articles/washington-redskins), Zorn was hired in [2010](https://bliptext.com/articles/2010-baltimore-ravens-season) by the [Baltimore Ravens](https://bliptext.com/articles/baltimore-ravens) as their quarterbacks coach to replace [Hue Jackson](https://bliptext.com/articles/hue-jackson), who departed to the [Oakland Raiders](https://bliptext.com/articles/2010-oakland-raiders-season).\nUnder Zorn, quarterback [Joe Flacco](https://bliptext.com/articles/joe-flacco) reached career high totals in touchdowns (25) and quarterback rating (93.6), as well as a career-low 10 interceptions.\nThe Ravens also improved from 9-7 the previous season to 12–4.\nDespite this, Zorn was fired by the Ravens at the end of the season.\nFlacco gave Zorn his approval and support, vocally objecting to the firing.\nHe was hired in [2011](https://bliptext.com/articles/2011-kansas-city-chiefs-season) by the [Kansas City Chiefs](https://bliptext.com/articles/kansas-city-chiefs) as their quarterbacks coach and stayed through the [2012](https://bliptext.com/articles/2012-kansas-city-chiefs-season) season.\nWhen [Andy Reid](https://bliptext.com/articles/andy-reid) took over as head coach after the 2012 season, he brought in a brand new coaching staff.\n\n## NFL head coach (2008–09)\nAfter Washington Redskins head coach [Joe Gibbs](https://bliptext.com/articles/joe-gibbs) retired in January 2008, owner [Daniel Snyder](https://bliptext.com/articles/daniel-snyder) hired Zorn as the team's new offensive coordinator.\nIn a surprise move, Snyder made him the Redskins' new head coach, on February 10, 2008, having never served as a coordinator at the pro level.\nHe was the fourth head coach hired by Snyder since he bought the team in 1999.\nZorn earned his first professional coaching victory with a 29–24 win over the [New Orleans Saints](https://bliptext.com/articles/new-orleans-saints) in week 2 of the 2008 NFL season.\nIn week 4 of the 2008 season, Zorn became the only Redskins head coach to win his first game at [Texas Stadium](https://bliptext.com/articles/texas-stadium) against the rival [Dallas Cowboys](https://bliptext.com/articles/dallas-cowboys) (2008 was the Cowboys' last year at their stadium in [Irving, Texas](https://bliptext.com/articles/irving-texas), which opened in October 1971. The Cowboys moved to [Cowboys Stadium](https://bliptext.com/articles/cowboys-stadium) for the 2009 season. [George Allen](https://bliptext.com/articles/george-allen-american-football-coach) won his first game vs. the Cowboys in Dallas as Redskins' coach in 1971, but that game was played at the [Cotton Bowl](https://bliptext.com/articles/cotton-bowl-stadium).).\nZorn complemented the Redskins’ bruising running attack with his version of the [West Coast Offense](https://bliptext.com/articles/west-coast-offense), a combination that helped the Redskins finish eighth in the NFL in rushing yards per game (130.9).\nZorn started his tenure with the Redskins by leading the team to a 6–2 record for the first half of the season, but subsequently finished the season going 2–6 with an overall 8–8 record.\nHowever Zorn's new offense produced four starters who earned Pro Bowl honors.\nRunning back [Clinton Portis](https://bliptext.com/articles/clinton-portis), finished fourth in the NFL in rushing yards (1,487).\nTight end [Chris Cooley](https://bliptext.com/articles/chris-cooley-american-football) earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl appearance and led the team with a career-high 83 receptions for 849 yards.\nOffensive Tackle [Chris Samuels](https://bliptext.com/articles/chris-samuels) earned his sixth Pro Bowl appearance—marking the third-most in franchise history, while fullback [Mike Sellers](https://bliptext.com/articles/mike-sellers) earned his first Pro Bowl selection in his eighth NFL season.\nSix games into the 2009 season, with a record of two wins and four losses, the Washington Redskins relieved Zorn of offensive play calling duties, assigning them to assistant coach [Sherman Lewis](https://bliptext.com/articles/sherman-lewis) following the Redskins' loss to the [Kansas City Chiefs](https://bliptext.com/articles/kansas-city-chiefs) on October 18.\nIn the early morning of January 4, 2010, it was reported that Zorn had been fired after the final game of the regular season, a loss to the [San Diego Chargers](https://bliptext.com/articles/san-diego-chargers).\nHe failed to make the [playoffs](https://bliptext.com/articles/playoffs) in either of his seasons as head coach of the Redskins.\nHe was replaced by former Broncos coach [Mike Shanahan](https://bliptext.com/articles/mike-shanahan).\nJim Zorn has since given a series of interviews with the local Washington, D.C. networks in which he expressed disappointment in the handling of his dismissal.\n\n## XFL (2020)\nOn February 25, 2019, Zorn was announced to be the GM and head coach of the [Seattle Dragons](https://bliptext.com/articles/seattle-dragons).\nHe was not retained after the league's bankruptcy and sale.\n\n# Head coaching record\n\n## NFL\n\n## XFL\n\n# Personal life\nZorn and his wife, Joy, have four children: daughters Rachael, Sarah, and Danielle and son Isaac.\nJim and Joy Zorn are active in Medical Teams International and Pro Athletes Outreach.\nMedical Teams International is dedicated to implementing and supporting programs that address the causes and effects of inadequate health care worldwide.\nJim Zorn currently resides with his wife on [Mercer Island](https://bliptext.com/articles/mercer-island), a suburb of [Seattle](https://bliptext.com/articles/seattle).\nThe couple is active in the local community, and attend Encounter Church.\nZorn is noted for his interest in mountain biking, kayaking and other outdoor sports.\nHe has continued to mountain bike even as he approaches the age of 70.\nWhen he was a player with the Seattle Seahawks, he experimented with building bikes for off-road riding with the help of the owner of Mercer Island Cyclery.\nZorn was inducted into the State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame during a pregame ceremony prior to Washington's game at Seattle on November 23, 2008.","revisionCount":0},"hasMore":false,"nextCursor":null}

History