Rhodes would be the Redskins' defensive coordinator, while Fazio would be the team's linebackers coach. The deals have not yet been finalized.

Earlier on Wednesday, a season of private and public criticism by the owner apparently was enough for Redskins defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, who informed the team he didn't want to return.

The Redskins also fired defensive backs coach Tom Hayes, and defensive line coach Earl Leggett announced his retirement after a 24-year NFL coaching career. Consultant Bill Arnsparger also will not return.

In Nolan's three seasons, the Redskins dropped from 16th to 24th to 30th in overall defense. Washington allowed more yards than any team this season except the expansion Cleveland Browns.

But as starters adjusted to the system, the defense began playing well over the final eight games. In the postseason, the unit allowed one late touchdown in a 27-13 playoff victory over Detroit and 186 total yards in a 14-13 playoff loss at Tampa Bay.

Coach Norv Turner met three times with Nolan over two days trying to work out a scenario under which Nolan would return.

Nolan, whose three-year contract expired at the end of the season, said there were no discussions whatsoever about defensive strategy. Instead, Nolan cited nonspecific personal issues, using words such as "responsibility" and "input" to describe his decision not to return.

"If I were to go in there and say, 'Please give me a job and I'll do anything to stay,' you can probably hang on," Nolan said. "That's not me. And I don't think anybody really wants somebody like that, because all you do is get a puppet. I'm not a glutton for punishment. This was a difficult year for a lot of people. It was difficult for myself.

"You want to be wanted, and you want to want to be where you're going, and that's more what it was than anything else."

Nolan has never been a favorite of owner Dan Snyder, who took over the franchise six months ago. Snyder called Nolan's defense "vanilla" and asked Turner to fire Nolan at least once during the season.

Asked if Snyder's ownership played any part in his decision, Nolan said: "I rather not answer that."

Snyder did not return calls seeking comment.

Turner confirmed Snyder's input in the negotiations.

"The owner's going to be part of the decision-making process," Turner said. "Certainly he has his own thoughts. ... There's part of me that would love to have Mike back, but there's part of me that understands there are things that make it hard to do. And that's not only from my point of view."

Hayes, who had one year left on his contract, was fired after five seasons with the Redskins, his first NFL team.

Leggett, 64, coached with the Giants, Raiders, Broncos, 49ers and Seahawks before joining the Redskins when Nolan arrived in 1997.

Still to be decided are the futures of defensive line coach Rubin Carter and special teams coach LeCharls McDaniel. Carter's status will depend on the wishes of Rhodes, the new defensive coordinator, and McDaniel is scheduled to meet with Turner soon.