ESPN is reporting that Schottenheimer was fired Sunday night as coach and director of football operations and likely will be replaced by Spurrier, who resigned last week from the University of Florida to pursue an NFL job.
The Redskins have not confirmed the report.
However, it will not be a surprise if Schottenheimer was dismissed since Snyder, Washington's impetuous owner, long has been smitten by the colorful Spurrier and his flashy offensive expertise. He tried to lure Spurrier away from Florida last season before giving Schottenheimer a four-year, $10 million contract and total control of personnel decisions.
A coaching change would be an expensive proposition for Snyder since Schottenheimer will pocket $7.5 million over the next three years and Spurrier likely will land a big contract.
According to ESPN, Spurrier "basically has a done deal" with the Redskins worth $25 million over five years.
Snyder and Redskins vice president of operations Pepper Rodgers attended Florida's Orange Bowl win on January 2. Two days later, Spurrier stepped down.
Rodgers was an assistant coach at Florida when Spurrier played there in the mid-1960s and the two have remained close friends.
The Carolina Panthers, who fired George Seifert last week after a 1-15 season, also have expressed interest in Spurrier.
Snyder's decision to give Schottenheimer total control over personnel last year was a curious one and one the owner came to regret. The two met several times over the past week as Snyder tried to convince Schottenheimer of the need to hire a general manager.
According to ESPN, the 57-year-old Schottenheimer was unwilling to change the clause in his contract that gave him final say over personnel decisions when there was disagreement in the front office.
The Redskins lost their first five games under Schottenheimer this season and many veterans referred to his practice sessions as a boot camp. But after defensive end Bruce Smith met with Schottenheimer to voice the players' displeasure, the coach modified his approach and Washington reeled off five consecutive wins to move into playoff contention.
However, the Redskins lost three of their next four games before closing an 8-8 season with two wins.
Schottenheimer had been out of football for two years before taking the Redskins job. While working last season as a television commentator, he expressed doubt he could work for a meddling owner like Snyder, claiming their management styles "were not compatible."
Schottenheimer ranks 11th all-time with 153 wins but never has been to a Super Bowl and is 5-11 in the postseason.
