Jim Zorn: NFL Head Coach and Quarterback

Background and Playing Career
Jim Zorn is a former American football player and coach best known for his time as the inaugural starting quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks. Born on May 10, 1953, in Whittier, California, Zorn played college football at Cal Poly Pomona. Despite going undrafted in 1975, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys but was released before the season began. Zorn then joined the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent for their inaugural 1976 season.

Professional Playing Career

• Seattle Seahawks (1976–1984): Zorn quickly became the face of the franchise, starting as quarterback for the Seahawks’ first eight seasons. He formed a dynamic partnership with receiver Steve Largent and was named AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year in
  1976. Zorn threw for 20,122 yards and 107 touchdowns during his time in Seattle.
• Green Bay Packers (1985): Played as a backup quarterback.
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1987): Brief stint as a player.
• Canadian Football League (Winnipeg Blue Bombers): Had a short playing career in the CFL after the NFL.

Coaching Career

• College Coaching: Zorn began his coaching career at Boise State, then moved to Utah State and the University of Minnesota, working mainly with quarterbacks and offensive positions.
• Seattle Seahawks (QB Coach, 2001–2007): Returned to the Seahawks as a respected quarterbacks coach, where he helped develop Matt Hasselbeck.
• Washington Redskins (Head Coach, 2008–2009): Zorn was hired as the head coach, compiling a record of 12–20 over two seasons. He was originally hired as offensive coordinator but was promoted to head coach shortly after his arrival.
• Baltimore Ravens (QB Coach, 2010): Served as quarterbacks coach for one season.
• Kansas City Chiefs (QB Coach, 2011–2012): Continued as a quarterbacks coach for two more NFL seasons.
• XFL (Seattle Dragons, Head Coach, 2020): Returned to Seattle to coach the XFL’s Seattle Dragons before the league suspended operations.

Relevant Facts and Highlights

• Inducted into the Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor in 1991.
• Known for his improvisational play and leadership as a quarterback.
• Respected as a developer of quarterbacks and innovative offensive mind.
• Had a unique distinction of being promoted to head coach with the Redskins with no prior NFL head coaching experience.

Legacy
Jim Zorn remains a beloved figure in Seattle sports history and is recognized for his contributions both as a player and coach. His career is marked by perseverance, adaptability, and a lasting influence on the quarterbacks he mentored throughout his coaching journey.

Legacy & Career Overview

Jim Zorn: NFL Head Coach and Quarterback – A Comprehensive Biography

Early Life and Background
Jim Zorn was born on May 10, 1953, in Whittier, California. Raised in Southern California, Zorn attended Gahr High School in Cerritos, where he began to develop his football skills as a quarterback. Despite not being highly recruited out of high school, Zorn continued his journey at Cerritos College before transferring to Cal Poly Pomona. There, he played both football and baseball, further showcasing his athletic versatility. His path to the professional ranks was anything but conventional, as he went undrafted in the 1975 NFL Draft. Playing Career
Jim Zorn’s professional football career began with the Dallas Cowboys, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in
1975. However, he was released before the start of the regular season. His big break came when he joined the newly formed Seattle Seahawks as their first-ever starting quarterback in
1976. Zorn quickly became known for his improvisational style, left-handed throws, and mobility, forming a dynamic partnership with future Hall of Fame wide receiver Steve Largent.

• Seattle Seahawks (1976–1984): Zorn was the face of the expansion Seahawks, starting for most of his nine seasons with the team. He threw for over 12,000 yards and 87 touchdowns, setting numerous franchise records at the time. Zorn was named AFC Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1976 and was beloved by fans for his gritty play and leadership during the franchise’s formative years.
• Green Bay Packers (1985): After leaving Seattle, Zorn had a brief stint with the Packers, appearing in two games as a backup quarterback.
• Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL, 1986): He played a season in the Canadian Football League, adding to his diverse football résumé.
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1987): Zorn returned to the NFL as a replacement player during the 1987 players’ strike, appearing in one game for the Buccaneers before retiring as a player.

Career Stats (NFL)

• Passing Yards: 21,115
• Touchdowns: 111
• Interceptions: 141
• Rushing Yards: 1,504
• Rushing TDs: 17

Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Jim Zorn began a long and varied coaching career, working his way up through college and NFL ranks. His coaching style was heavily influenced by his own playing experience, particularly his work with quarterbacks.

• College Coaching: Zorn began his coaching career as an assistant at Boise State University (1988-1991), and later at Utah State, nurturing young quarterbacks and offensive talent.
• Seattle Seahawks (QB Coach, 2001–2007): Returning to the NFL, Zorn spent seven years as the quarterbacks coach for the Seattle Seahawks. There, he played a pivotal role in developing Matt Hasselbeck into a Pro Bowl quarterback and helped the franchise reach Super Bowl XL.
• Washington Redskins (Head Coach, 2008–2009): Zorn received his first and only NFL head coaching opportunity with the Redskins. Hired initially as an offensive coordinator, he was promoted to head coach before coaching a single game. In his first season (2008), Zorn led the team to an 8-8 record, showing promise with an early 6-2 start. However, the team struggled in his second season, finishing 4-
  12. His overall head coaching record stands at 12-20.
• Baltimore Ravens (Quarterbacks Coach, 2010): Zorn joined the Ravens' staff for one season, working with young quarterback Joe Flacco and helping Baltimore reach the playoffs.
• Kansas City Chiefs (QB Coach, 2011–2012): He continued his quarterback mentoring role in Kansas City, helping to develop the Chiefs’ passing attack.
• XFL – Seattle Dragons (Head Coach/GM, 2020): Zorn returned to Seattle as the head coach and general manager of the XFL’s Seattle Dragons, further cementing his legacy in the city where he made his name as a player.

Relevant Facts and Accomplishments

• Inducted into the Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor in 1991, recognizing his contributions as the team’s original quarterback and franchise pioneer.
• Remembered for his unique left-handed delivery and ability to extend plays with his legs in an era when mobile quarterbacks were less common.
• Mentored several successful NFL quarterbacks during his coaching tenure, including Matt Hasselbeck and Joe Flacco.
• Known for his innovative offensive ideas, particularly his emphasis on quarterback mobility and play-action passing.
• Remains a beloved figure in Seattle sports history, both for his playing days and his later coaching return to the city.

Legacy
Though Jim Zorn’s head coaching career in the NFL was brief and had mixed results, his overall contribution to football is significant. As a pioneering quarterback for the Seahawks, he helped establish a new franchise and set the stage for future successes. As a coach, he influenced a generation of quarterbacks and continued to innovate offensively at both the college and professional levels. Zorn’s enduring connection to Seattle and his reputation as a player’s coach have made him a respected and admired figure in the football community for nearly five decades.