History of Jim Zorn in Timeline
"Jim Zorn is a former American football quarterback and coach best known for his time with the Seattle Seahawks. He led the Seahawks as their starting quarterback for their first eight seasons. Following his playing career, Zorn returned to the Seahawks as quarterbacks coach and later served as the head coach of the Washington Redskins."
May 10, 1953: Birth of Jim Zorn
On May 10, 1953, James Arthur Zorn, an American former professional football player and coach, was born.
1970: Jim Zorn Starts Playing Football, Breaks Wrist
Jim Zorn began playing organized football in his sophomore year of high school. The following year, in 1970, he broke his wrist while playing quarterback.
1971: Jim Zorn Graduates from Gahr High School
In 1971, Jim Zorn graduated from Gahr High School in Cerritos, California.
1972: Jim Zorn Benched at Cerritos College
During his sophomore season at Cerritos College in 1972, Jim Zorn was benched due to disagreements with the head coach regarding his leadership style.
1973: Jim Zorn Excels at Cal Poly Pomona
After transferring to Cal Poly Pomona in 1973, Jim Zorn had a standout junior season, recording impressive passing stats and earning accolades such as Little All-American, Little All-Coast, and Southern California College Division Player of the Year.
1974: Jim Zorn Concludes Collegiate Career at Cal Poly Pomona
Jim Zorn's senior year at Cal Poly Pomona in 1974 was marked by coaching changes that impacted his performance. Despite this, he finished his college career with several school records, showcasing his skills as a dual-threat quarterback.
1975: Jim Zorn Begins Professional Football Journey
Jim Zorn's professional football journey began in 1975 when he signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent. However, he was released before the season started.
1976: Jim Zorn Joins Seattle Seahawks
In 1976, Jim Zorn joined the Seattle Seahawks as a free agent, reuniting with Dick Mansperger, who had been with the Dallas Cowboys the previous year.
1976: Jim Zorn Becomes Starting Quarterback for Seattle Seahawks
Jim Zorn secured his spot as the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks in 1976, marking the beginning of his successful tenure with the team.
1978: Jim Zorn Earns Second-Team All-Pro Honors
Jim Zorn's outstanding performance during the 1978 season earned him Second-Team All-Pro honors, solidifying his place as one of the league's top quarterbacks.
1983: Jim Zorn Demoted to Second-String Quarterback
Jim Zorn's reign as the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks came to an end in 1983 when he was demoted to second-string, with Dave Krieg taking over the starting role.
1983: Seattle Seahawks Reach NFL Playoffs for the First Time
The Seattle Seahawks made their first-ever appearance in the NFL playoffs in 1983, the same year that Jim Zorn transitioned from starting quarterback to a backup role.
1984: Jim Zorn Concludes Tenure with Seattle Seahawks
Jim Zorn's time with the Seattle Seahawks came to an end after the 1984 season, marking the end of his significant contributions to the franchise as a player.
1985: Jim Zorn Signs with Green Bay Packers
In 1985, Jim Zorn joined the Green Bay Packers as a second-string quarterback.
1985: Green Bay Packers Finish with Winning Record
The Green Bay Packers, with Jim Zorn as their second-string quarterback, concluded the 1985 season with a winning record of 8-8, securing second place in the NFC Central.
1986: Jim Zorn Departs Green Bay Packers, Joins Winnipeg Blue Bombers
After being released by the Green Bay Packers, Jim Zorn took a break from the NFL and joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League as a backup quarterback in 1986.
1986: Jim Zorn Plays for Winnipeg Blue Bombers in CFL
Jim Zorn took his talents north in 1986, signing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League as a backup quarterback.
1987: Jim Zorn Plays Final Game During NFL Strike
During the 1987 NFL strike, Jim Zorn participated in his final professional game as a replacement player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
1987: Jim Zorn Ends Playing Career with Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jim Zorn's professional football playing career concluded in 1987 after a brief stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
1988: Jim Zorn Begins Coaching Career at Boise State University
Jim Zorn embarked on his coaching journey in 1988, taking on the role of quarterbacks coach at Boise State University under head coach Skip Hall.
1989: Steve Largent Inducted into Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor
Steve Largent, Jim Zorn's frequent passing target and a Hall of Fame wide receiver, became the first Seattle Seahawks player to be inducted into the team's "Ring of Honor" in 1989.
1991: Jim Zorn Concludes Tenure at Boise State
In 1991, Jim Zorn concluded his four-year stint as the quarterbacks coach at Boise State University.
1991: Jim Zorn Inducted into Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor
In recognition of his contributions to the Seattle Seahawks, Jim Zorn was inducted into the team's "Ring of Honor" in 1991, following in the footsteps of his teammate Steve Largent.
1992: Jim Zorn Becomes Offensive Coordinator at Utah State
Jim Zorn joined Utah State as their offensive coordinator in 1992, marking a significant step in his coaching career.
1994: Jim Zorn Ends Tenure as Offensive Coordinator at Utah State
After two seasons, Jim Zorn's time as the offensive coordinator at Utah State came to an end in 1994.
1995: Jim Zorn Joins Minnesota Golden Gophers as Quarterbacks Coach
In 1995, Jim Zorn took on the challenge of coaching quarterbacks for the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team.
1996: Jim Zorn Concludes Time with Minnesota Golden Gophers
Jim Zorn's coaching stint with the Minnesota Golden Gophers concluded in 1996.
1997: Jim Zorn Returns to Seattle Seahawks as Quarterbacks Coach
Jim Zorn returned to familiar territory in 1997 when he rejoined the Seattle Seahawks as the quarterbacks coach under head coach Dennis Erickson.
1998: Jim Zorn Joins Detroit Lions as Quarterbacks Coach
Jim Zorn became the quarterbacks coach for the Detroit Lions in 1998, working under head coach Bobby Ross.
2000: Jim Zorn Concludes Tenure with Detroit Lions
Jim Zorn's time as the quarterbacks coach for the Detroit Lions ended in 2000.
2001: Jim Zorn Returns to Seattle Seahawks as Quarterbacks Coach
In 2001, Jim Zorn returned to the Seattle Seahawks as quarterbacks coach under head coach Mike Holmgren and offensive coordinator Gil Haskell.
2003: Jim Zorn Mentors Matt Hasselbeck to Franchise Record
Under the guidance of quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn, Matt Hasselbeck set a Seattle Seahawks franchise record with 3,841 passing yards in 2003.
2005: Matt Hasselbeck Breaks Jim Zorn's Seahawks Passing Record
In 2005, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck surpassed Jim Zorn's franchise record for most 3,000-yard passing seasons.
2007: Jim Zorn Guides Matt Hasselbeck to Record-Breaking Season
During the 2007 season, under the guidance of quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn, Matt Hasselbeck set Seattle Seahawks single-season records for attempts, completions, and yards, and also threw for a career-high 28 touchdowns, leading to his third Pro Bowl selection.
January 2008: Offensive Coordinator for the Washington Redskins
After Joe Gibbs retired as head coach of the Washington Redskins in January 2008, Daniel Snyder hired Jim Zorn as the team's new offensive coordinator.
February 10, 2008: Head Coach of the Washington Redskins
On February 10, 2008, Jim Zorn was surprisingly appointed as the head coach of the Washington Redskins by owner Daniel Snyder, despite having never held a coordinator position at the professional level.
November 23, 2008: Inducted into the State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame
Jim Zorn was inducted into the State of Washington Sports Hall of Fame on November 23, 2008. The ceremony took place before a Washington football game in Seattle.
2008: Jim Zorn Recognized as Top Mobile Quarterback by NFL.com
In 2008, NFL.com acknowledged Jim Zorn's mobility and playmaking abilities as a quarterback, ranking him among the eighth-best mobile quarterbacks in NFL history.
2008: Jim Zorn Named Head Coach of Washington Redskins
Initially hired as the offensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins, Jim Zorn was promoted to head coach two weeks later in 2008.
2009: Jim Zorn Joins Baltimore Ravens as Quarterbacks Coach
Following his departure from the Washington Redskins, Jim Zorn was hired as the quarterbacks coach for the Baltimore Ravens in 2009.
2009: Relieved of Offensive Play Calling Duties
In 2009, after a 2-4 start to the season, Jim Zorn was relieved of his offensive play-calling duties for the Washington Redskins. Assistant coach Sherman Lewis took over these responsibilities.
January 4, 2010: Fired as Head Coach of the Washington Redskins
Jim Zorn was fired as head coach of the Washington Redskins on January 4, 2010, after failing to make the playoffs in his two seasons with the team.
2010: Quarterbacks Coach for the Baltimore Ravens
In 2010, Jim Zorn was hired as the quarterbacks coach for the Baltimore Ravens, replacing Hue Jackson.
2011: Jim Zorn Becomes Quarterbacks Coach for Kansas City Chiefs
In 2011, Jim Zorn took on the role of quarterbacks coach for the Kansas City Chiefs.
2011: Quarterbacks Coach for the Kansas City Chiefs
Jim Zorn was hired by the Kansas City Chiefs as their quarterbacks coach in 2011.
2012: End of Tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs
Jim Zorn's time as quarterbacks coach for the Kansas City Chiefs ended in 2012 when Andy Reid became head coach and brought in a new coaching staff.
2012: Jim Zorn Concludes Tenure with Kansas City Chiefs
Jim Zorn's time as the quarterbacks coach for the Kansas City Chiefs came to an end in 2012.
February 25, 2019: GM and Head Coach of the Seattle Dragons
On February 25, 2019, Jim Zorn was appointed as the GM and head coach of the Seattle Dragons. His tenure was cut short due to the league's bankruptcy and subsequent sale.
