By Dave Brady
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, January 7, 1971; Page A1

George Allen came to Washington last night and was introduced as new head coach and general manager of the Redskins.

He received a multiyear contract and was given "all the authority that Vince Lombardi had," club president Edward Bennett Williams said at a news conference.

The Redskins outraced three or more other NFL teams in snatching up Allen seven days after he was released by the Los Angeles Rams following his five winning seasons in his first job as head coach.

He replaced Bill Austin, interim appointment by Lombardi when the late coach became seriously ill last summer.

Williams notified Austin yesterday morning that his head coach contract would not be renewed and Austin said he had expected the firing.

The general manager's job had been vacant since the death of Lombardi Sept. 3.

The Rams finished the 1970 season with a 9-4-1 record, a game behind the San Francisco 49ers, winners of the Western Division of the National Football Conference.

Austin finished with a 6-8 record and in fourth place in the NFC Eastern Division.

Williams said that the new coach will have authority over "all football operations," including hiring and firing of assistant coaches, front office personnel, trading and drafting.

Allen said, "I intend to concentrate on defense, where I will spend a majority of my time."

Asked if he planned to make trades for defensive personnel, he said, "I hope to. I plan to win (not necessarily a title) in 1971. I have never believed in long-range programs of six, seven or eight years."

Overhaul Planned
The 48-year-old builder of one of the most consistently good defenses in the National Football League noted that the Redskins had finished last in a 13-team conference in rushing defense and 12th in total defense. He said he would overhaul the unit in terms of personnel and technique.

He frequently mentioned that quarterback Sonny Jurgensen has been hampered throughout his career by not being complemented by a strong defense and singled out other Redskins whom he was figuring largely in his plans.

"Our whole thinking is to get the defense riled up," he said. "I know the Redskins' personnel from having played them twice since 1966. I am fond of Chris Hanburger as a linebacker. I hope tackle Bill Brundige continues to improve. I have always like Pat Fischer at cornerback.

"I am pleased to have placekicker Curt Knight and punter Mike Bragg. They have a lot good years ahead of them."

Avoids Comparison
Allen evaded a direct comparison of Jurgensen with Roman Gabriel of the Rams, but did say, "Sonny is one of the greatest passers in modern football with his accuracy and quick release. One of his disadvantages is that he never had the benefit of a great defense."

He added he hopes to see Jurgensen today before returning to Los Angeles. Asked if Jurgensen would call plays, Allen said, "You should prepare athletes properly and then give them the right to call the plays— on offense and defense."

The new coach, who had a 49-17-4 record at Los Angeles, said his "No. 1" consideration in the draft or trades would not be a young quarterback. "Sonny can have just as good a year next season as John Brodie of the 49ers had this year," he remarked.

Ram Aides Eyed
Allen said he would prefer to bring three or four assistants from the Rams' staff and among them he would "like to have offensive backfield coach Ted Marchibroda (a former Redskins assistant) and defensive line coach La Vern (Torgy) Torgeson (a former Redskins player and coach)."

Torgeson said last night from his home near Los Angeles that he already had talked briefly with Allen about the prospect of coming here but also has discussed with Tommy Prothro, the new Rams' head coach, about the possibility of remaining at Los Angeles.

Allen said he was familiar with several members of Austin's staff— defensive backfield coach Don Doll and defense coach Harland Svare, former Rams coaches; linebacker coach Sam Huff as a player, Lew Carpenter, end coach, and Tim Temerario, director of player personnel.

Allen emphasized he will hire an assistant in charge of special teams, one of the Redskins' weaknesses.

Change Set
Club president Williams was asked if he would have made a coaching change even if he had not been able to obtain Allen and said forthrightly, "Yes."

Williams explained, "We have had a losing syndrome here for 15 seasons, with one exception (Lombardi's 7-5-2 record in 1969). The fans are impatient. We hold this franchise in trust for the people. I think we are obliged to get the best possible coach and personnel. I think we have taken a dramatic step in signing George Allen."

"I regard him as the best football coach in the world. I am delighted. Many other teams have coveted his services. I am saying unequivocally, unqualifiedly, and unambiguously that he is the last coach I will ever hire.

Big Disappointments
"I was terribly disappointed with our 1970 season, particularly the fourth quarter of our loss to the Giants in New York and the debacle in Dallas. But it was the most distasteful thing in my adult life— not renewing Austin's contract. I have a high regard for him. I admire him. But I know he has another job in the NFL, which it is up to him to talk about."

Williams said he had been negotiating "intensively" for a week with Allen's attorney, E. Gregory Hookstratten of Beverly Hills, Calif.

Hookstratten accompanied Allen to the news conference and said he concentrates on representing figures in the entertainment world, such as Elvis Presley, Joey Bishop, Glen Campbell, and (Dan) Rowan and (Dick) Martin.

Williams' Third Coup
The acquisition of a coach of Allen's stature was the third such coup since Williams became president of the Redskins in 1965.

Previously, he persuaded Otto Graham to take his first fling as a head coach in pro football.

Two years ago, Williams prevailed on Lombardi to return to coaching after he retired to concentrate on being general manager of the Green Bay Packers.

Allen was asked in jest last night why he traded second-round pick Gary Beban, the Heisman Trophy winner from UCLA, to the Redskins for a No. 1 draft choice.

Beban did not make it in three seasons with the Redskins, but Allen responded, "The Rams had a good quarterback then (Gabriel). Beban was a good athlete. In fact, Prothro (Beban's coach at UCLA) is going to give him a shot with the Rams."