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The Washington Redskins intend to pursue Steve Spurrier, who abruptly resigned as the University of Florida's head football coach today to pursue a coaching job in the National Football League, as a possible successor to Coach Marty Schottenheimer, NFL sources said.

Schottenheimer is completing the first season of a four-year, $10 million contract as the Redskins' head coach and director of football operations. But he has not said whether he would want to remain as coach if Redskins owner Daniel Snyder hires a general manager in the offseason. Snyder tried but failed to hire Spurrier during the last offseason, and sources said today that the Redskins likely would fire Schottenheimer if they are able to land Spurrier this time around.

But that does not necessarily mean that Schottenheimer will be fired as coach on the heels of the Redskins' disappointing season. The Redskins will have plenty of competition for Spurrier. The San Diego Chargers and Minnesota Vikings have head coaching vacancies, and prospective job openings in Jacksonville and Tampa Bay almost certainly would put those Florida teams at or near the top of Spurrier's list.

The Redskins hope the connection between Spurrier and Pepper Rodgers will help bring Spurrier to Washington. Rodgers, a longtime college coach who now serves as the Redskins' vice president of football operations, was an assistant coach at Florida when Spurrier played there. Rodgers had Spurrier on his coaching staff as the head coach at Georgia Tech. The two have remained close, and Spurrier once gave Rodgers a game ball-with the inscription, "To my coach" following a big Florida victory over Georgia.

Both Snyder and Rodgers attended Florida's 56-23 win over the University of Maryland on Wednesday in the Orange Bowl. Sources said the Redskins had not been negotiating with Spurrier and were surprised by today's announcement, but they added that team officials were excited to see Spurrier become available.

Snyder had Spurrier and another big-name coach, Bill Parcells, at the top of his wish list last offseason. But neither would take the job and the Redskins instead hired Schottenheimer, who had taken his teams to the playoffs in 11 of his previous 14 seasons as an NFL head coach. Still, sources said that Snyder remained intrigued with the possibility of hiring Spurrier even after getting Schottenheimer. Snyder, who was vacationing with his family in Florida today, repeatedly has refused to comment publicly on his plans for the offseason.

Spurrier's contract at Florida was to run through the 2006 season but contained a clause giving him a window of time following each season to leave for an NFL coaching job. Those who know him say he probably would prefer to remain in Florida but he likely would not rule out the Redskins. One Spurrier associate said that Spurrier once considered accepting the Tampa Bay coaching job but rejected it because he did not receive an assurance that the Buccaneers, at the time, were financially sound enough to remain in Florida. He is an avid golfer and does not like to spend long hours in the office, and he probably would not demand total control over an NFL team's football operation.

Snyder granted Schottenheimer such total control last January. But Schottenheimer has acknowledged that his contract gives Snyder the full authority to hire a general manager. According to sources, Snyder's candidates to become GM include former Redskins and Chargers general manager Bobby Beathard; Oakland Raiders senior assistant Bruce Allen, the son of late Redskins coach George Allen; Indianapolis Colts President Bill Polian; and former Green Bay Packers GM Ron Wolf. Snyder seems particularly interested in Beathard, who helped to build three Redskins teams that made Super Bowl appearances in the 1980s.

Schottenheimer's contract, according to sources, would give him the final say on player-related decisions if he were to disagree with a new GM. But Schottenheimer repeatedly has refused to say what his reaction would be to such a move by Snyder.

There also is a potential clash looming over Schottenheimer's assistant coaches. There is sentiment within the organization for offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye to be replaced. But Schottenheimer has said he has no plans to make changes among his coaches, and sources say his contract gives him the final say over his staff.

Schottenheimer would forfeit the remaining approximately $7.5 million owed to him by the Redskins under his contract if he resigns, and he would have to receive written permission from Snyder to take a job with another NFL team. The Redskins would have to pay Schottenheimer that money if they fire him. That would make firing Schottenheimer and hiring Spurrier a costly maneuver, but those who know Snyder say that giving the Redskins the best chance to win – not finances – will dictate the decision.

Spurrier, a former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, had a record of 122-27-1 in 12 seasons as Florida's coach. He had nine seasons with 10 or more wins, including a 10-2 mark in the season that ended Wednesday. He led the Gators to six Southeastern Conference championships and a national title in 1996. He impressed NFL types with his competitiveness and sophisticated passing offense, but he angered opponents with his brash style.