1970 Washington Redskins season

1970 Washington Redskins season
OwnerEdward Bennett Williams
General managerTim Temerario (de facto)
PresidentEdward Bennett Williams
Head coachVince Lombardi (offseason)
Bill Austin (interim)
Home fieldRFK Stadium
Results
Record6–8
Division place4th NFC East
Playoff finishDid not qualify

The 1970 Washington Redskins season was the franchise's 39th season in the National Football League (NFL) and their 34th in Washington, D.C. Vince Lombardi, who was hired the previous season, was diagnosed with terminal cancer in late June and died on September 3.[1][2] In July, offensive line coach Bill Austin was named interim head coach.[3]

The Redskins finished at 6–8 in 1970, fourth in the NFC East, but with a five-game losing streak in the second half of the season. The last loss was a 34–0 shutout at rival Dallas on December 6, and Washington fell to a 4–8 record and four games behind the Cowboys.[4]

It was the 25th consecutive season that the Redskins did not advance to the playoffs. Austin's contract was not renewed after the season.[5][6]

  1. ^ "Lombardi dies of cancer". Milwaukee Journal. wire services. September 3, 1970. p. 1, part 1.
  2. ^ "State to mourn Lombardi in rites". Milwaukee Sentinel. September 4, 1970. p. 1, part 1.
  3. ^ "'Skins tab Bill Austin". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. Associated Press. July 17, 1970. p. 11.
  4. ^ "Cowboys rip Skins, 34-0". Milwaukee Sentinel. UPI. December 7, 1970. p. 3, part 2.
  5. ^ "Allen replaces Bill Austin; Cardinals dismiss Winner". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. W-P. January 7, 1971. p. 13.
  6. ^ Lowitt, Bruce (January 7, 1971). "George Allen replaces Bill Austin as Redskin coach". The Day. New London, Connecticut. Associated Press. p. 25.