SPORTS INSIDER – Redskins Hire Jay Gruden as New Head Coach

January 13, 2014
Ceci Ferrara
Sports Writer
Sports Insider

Photo:  Courtesy Redskins.com

Two weeks and multiple interviews later, the Washington Redskins have a new head coach.

Last Thursday, the Redskins announced that Jay Gruden, former offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals would be the franchise’s 29th head coach. He will take over after the very public firing of Mike Shanahan, who was ousted after four failed seasons in Washington.

Before becoming a coach, Gruden was a quarterback, playing for the University of Louisville and later two separate professional arena football leagues. As the starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Storm, in the 1990s Gruden won four Arena Bowl titles and was named league MVP before turning to coaching. He coached for five years in the arena leagues before coming to the NFL.

The younger brother of former NFL head coach and current ESPN analyst Jon Gruden, he served as offensive assistant for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers under his brother from 2002 to 2008. During his tenure, the Bucs won their first franchise championship, beating the Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII. Following his departure from Tampa Bay, Gruden briefly worked in the United Football League before returning to NFL as the Bengals’ offensive coordinator in February 2011.

During Gruden’s three-year tenure in Cincinnati, the Bengals made the playoffs three years in a row, though they were eliminated in the first round each time. Despite this, he is credited for the improvement in Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton–who set two franchise records in 2013. During his introductory press conference, Gruden wasn’t shy about saying what he will expect from RGIII.

“I expect a lot from the starting quarterback. I expect him to come in and prepare and work hard, and I expect him to take the blame on some throws,” Gruden said. “I expect him to be a great leader. I expect him to do extra things to be great. As long as he’s working his butt off, I will provide him with everything he needs to be successful.”

Gruden went on to address Griffin specifically, saying he sees a lot of talent, as well as many of the qualities he looks for in a quarterback. “I see a guy that can run. I see a guy that can maneuver in the pocket. I see accuracy. I see long-ball accuracy. I see toughness. I see a guy that wants to win, and I see a strong leader. I see every trait that a quarterback has to have to be successful. I see Robert having all of those, so why wouldn’t you want to coach a guy like that? So I’m excited to coach him.”

Griffin has been reported as being excited to be working with his new head coach, but the quarterback has made no official statements on the subject.

Redskins fans can only hope that Gruden’s hiring means a new era for Washington football–and isn’t the same empty promises we’ve heard before.