Jay Gruden

Jay Michael Gruden (born March 4, 1967) is an American football coach and former quarterback who is the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the head coach of the Washington Redskins from 2014 to 2019 and offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2011 to 2013. During his time in the Arena Football League (AFL), he won four ArenaBowls as a player and two more as a head coach. He is the younger brother of Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon Gruden, and was an assistant coach of the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that won Super Bowl XXXVII.

Jay Gruden
Gruden during his time as Washington Redskins head coach (2017)
Jacksonville Jaguars
Position:Offensive coordinator
Personal information
Born: (1967-03-04) March 4, 1967
Tiffin, Ohio
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school:Tampa (FL) Chamberlain
College:Louisville
Undrafted:1989
Career history
As player:
As coach:
Career highlights and awards
As player
As coach
Career Arena statistics
Completion %:59.8%
Passing yards:21,479
TD–INT:397–99
Passer rating:104.72
Rushing TDs:5
Head coaching record
Regular season:AFL: 82–54 (.603)
UFL: 5–3 (.625)
NFL: 35–49–1 (.418)
Postseason:AFL: 11–7 (.611)
UFL: 0–1 (.000)
NFL: 0–1 (.000)
Career:AFL: 93–61 (.604)
UFL: 5–4 (.556)
NFL: 35–50–1 (.413)
Coaching stats at PFR
Player stats at ArenaFan.com

Early years

Of Slovene descent, Gruden was born in Tiffin, Ohio, and was raised a Roman Catholic.[1][2] He attended George D. Chamberlain High School in Tampa, Florida, where he played quarterback for the Chamberlain Chiefs high school football team under head coach Billy Turner.[3]

College career

Gruden attended the University of Louisville, where he was a four-year letterman at Louisville Cardinals football team (1985–1988).[4] He finished his collegiate career with 7,024 passing yards (as of 2013, fourth all-time for the school), completing 572 of 1049 passes for 44 touchdowns. All four stats still rank in the top five in Cardinals history.[5] He also ranks in Louisville's top 10 for yards per completion, passing attempts in a season, and completions in a season. He ranks eighth in career completion percentage, seventh in career passing efficiency, and ninth in average yards per game for the Cardinals. Gruden threw for over 300 yards in a game six times at Louisville. As a senior, Gruden led the team to an 8–3 record, their first winning season in 10 years.[6]

Professional career

Gruden played two seasons in the World League of American Football (with Barcelona in 1991 and Scotland in 1995).[7] He also spent 3 seasons of time in the NFL (Phoenix) and CFL (Sacramento) on practice squads. Gruden won four ArenaBowl titles as the starting quarterback of the Tampa Bay Storm in the Arena Football League. He was named the league's MVP in 1992.[8] After stepping off the field to coach, Gruden returned to the field in 2002 as a member of the Orlando Predators.[9]

Honors and awards
  • 1992: League MVP & First Team All-Arena
  • 1993: ArenaBowl VII MVP
  • 1993: All-Star Game MVP
  • 1995: First Team All-Arena
  • 1996: AFL's 10th Anniversary Team
  • 1999: AFL Hall of Fame & All-ArenaBowl Team
  • 2001: Second Team 15th Team Anniversary
  • 2006: Ranked fourth on the AFL's list of greatest players[10]

Coaching career

Arena Football League

Gruden began his coaching career as the offensive coordinator for the AFL's Nashville Kats in 1997.[11] In 1998, he became head coach of the Orlando Predators, the main rival of the Storm.[12] With Orlando, he won ArenaBowl titles in 1998 and 2000. He came out of retirement and resumed playing in 2002, this time for the Predators, but retired again and returned to head coaching when his replacement, Fran Papasedero, died after the 2003 season. Gruden has an overall AFL head coaching record of 93–61, including a mark of 11–7 in the playoffs.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

From 2002 to 2008, he served as an offensive assistant for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the National Football League under his brother, head coach Jon Gruden, earning a Super Bowl ring for the Bucs' win in Super Bowl XXXVII.[13][14][15] He left the team after his brother was fired following the 2008 season.[16]

Florida Tuskers

In 2009, while the Predators were on hiatus during the bankruptcy reorganization of the AFL, he was selected to be head coach Jim Haslett's offensive coordinator for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League. As part of his contract, he was not permitted to remain head coach of the Predators. Instead, former Orlando quarterback Pat O'Hara, who led the team to its two ArenaBowl titles when Gruden was head coach, was hired in his place.

On February 20, 2010, Gruden was named head coach of the Tuskers following Haslett's departure to join Mike Shanahan's staff with the NFL's Washington Redskins.[17]

Cincinnati Bengals

On February 3, 2011, Gruden was hired as the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals.[10][18] On January 13, 2012, Gruden signed a three-year extension with the Bengals at the position,[19] even after being asked to interview for at least three NFL head coaching jobs (with the Jacksonville Jaguars, St. Louis Rams, and later turning down the Indianapolis Colts).[20]

In January 2013, Gruden was interviewed by the NFL's Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles, and San Diego Chargers for their vacant head coaching positions.[21][22]

Gruden’s offense helped lead the Bengals to three straight Wild Card playoff appearances, including the AFC North title in 2013.[23][24][25]

Washington Redskins

On January 9, 2014, Gruden was hired as the new head coach of the Washington Redskins, succeeding Mike Shanahan.[26][27] Since Gruden was a highly sought after coach, Redskins owner Dan Snyder gave him a fully guaranteed, 5-year contract worth $20 million.[28]

In the 2015 season, Gruden led the Redskins to their first playoff appearance since 2012. The Redskins would go on a 4-game winning streak to finish the season, and win the NFC East with a 9–7 record. However, the Redskins lost to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round 35–18, ending their season.[29] In 2016 the Redskins finished 8–7–1 however missed the playoffs. This marked the first time the Redskins posted back-to-back winning seasons since 1996-1997.[30]

On March 4, 2017, the Gruden signed a two-year contact extension with the team.[31] On October 7, 2019, Gruden was fired after starting the season 0–5, finishing his overall tenure as head coach at 35–49–1.[32][33]

Jacksonville Jaguars

On January 22, 2020, Gruden was hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars as their offensive coordinator, replacing John DeFilippo.[34]

Head coaching record

AFL
TeamYearRegular seasonPostseason
WonLostTiesWin %FinishWonLostWin %Result
ORL1998 950.6432nd Southern300ArenaBowl XII Champions
ORL1999 770.5003rd Southern210Lost to Albany Firebirds in ArenaBowl XIII
ORL2000 1130.7863rd Southern300ArenaBowl XIV Champions
ORL2001 860.5713rd Southern010Lost to Chicago Rush in Wild Card Game
ORL2004 1060.6252nd Southern010Lost to Chicago Rush in Quarterfinals
ORL2005 1060.6252nd Southern110Lost to Georgia Force in NC Final
ORL2006 1060.6251st Southern210Lost to Chicago Rush in ArenaBowl XX
ORL2007 880.5003rd Southern010Lost to Philadelphia Soul in NC Wild Card Game
ORL2008 970.5632nd Southern010Lost to Cleveland Gladiators in NC Wild Card Game
Total82540.603117.611

UFL
TeamYearRegular seasonPostseason
WonLostTiesWin %FinishWonLostWin %Result
FL2010 530.6252nd in UFL010Lost to Las Vegas Locos in 2010 UFL Championship Game
Total530.62501.000

NFL
TeamYearRegular seasonPostseason
WonLostTiesWin %FinishWonLostWin %Result
WAS2014 4120.2504th in NFC East––––
WAS2015 970.5631st in NFC East01.000Lost to Green Bay Packers in NFC Wild Card Game
WAS2016 871.5313rd in NFC East––––
WAS2017 790.4383rd in NFC East––––
WAS2018 790.4383rd in NFC East––––
WAS2019 050.000(Fired)––––
Total35491.41801.000

Personal life

Gruden's father, Jim, a long-time college and NFL assistant coach, was a former regional scout for the San Francisco 49ers. His brother Jon is the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. His other brother, James, is a radiologist at the New York Presbyterian Hospital - Weill Cornell Medical Center.[35]

References
  1. "NFL Football Highlights, Clips & Analysis". NFL.com. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  2. "Famous Catholics". www.adherents.com.
  3. Knight, Joey (June 9, 2017). "Legendary Hillsborough County prep football coach Billy Turner dies". TampaBay.com. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  4. Hack, Damon (August 24, 2011). "Postcard from camp: Bengals". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  5. "Louisville Cardinals Passing Records". www.gocards.com. University of Louisville. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  6. "Louisville Cardinals Football Record By Year". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  7. "1991 Barcelona Dragons Roster". The Football Database. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  8. "Gruden Named 4th Greatest in AFL History". www.tampabaystorm.com. Tampa Bay Storm. August 2, 2012. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  9. "Gruden returns to playing field". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. January 14, 2002. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  10. Hensley, Jamison (February 3, 2011). "Bengals hire Jay Gruden". www.sports.espn.go.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  11. Princiotti, Nora. "Jay Gruden, back to calling plays, will draw on lifetime of experience". The Washington Times. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  12. "10 things about Jay Gruden, new Redskins coach". Washington Post. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  13. "Jay Gruden's career has one constant: winning". Washington Post. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  14. "Jay Gruden". www.coachingroots.com. CoachingRoots.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  15. "2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coaching Staff". www.coachingroots.com. CoachingRoots.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  16. "Bucs ax Gruden; Morris said to be successor". ESPN.com. January 16, 2009. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  17. Hays, Chris (February 10, 2010). "UFL names Jay Gruden new Tuskers coach, but big news is that Orlando becomes sole residence for Tuskers". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  18. Rosenthal, Gregg (February 3, 2011). "Jay Gruden to Bengals confirmed". www.profootballtalk.nbcsports.com. NBC Sports. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  19. Kirkendoll, Josh (January 12, 2012). "Confirmed: Bengals Sign Jay Gruden To A Three-Year Extension". www.cincyjungle.com. Vox Media, Inc. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  20. Hensley, Jamison (January 13, 2012). "Wake-up call: Jay Gruden signs extension". www.sports.espn.go.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  21. Sessler, Marc (January 8, 2013). "Jay Gruden plans to interview with Eagles, Cardinals". www.nfl.com. National Football League. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  22. Williamson, Bill (January 13, 2013). "Chargers interview Jay Gruden". www.sports.espn.go.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  23. "2011 Cincinnati Bengals Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  24. "2012 Cincinnati Bengals Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  25. "2013 Cincinnati Bengals Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  26. Boyer, Zac (January 9, 2014). "Jay Gruden hired as Redskins coach". WashingtonTimes.com. Retrieved January 9, 2014.
  27. Keim, John (January 9, 2014). "Jay Gruden to coach Redskins". www.sports.espn.go.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  28. LaConfora, Jason. "Jay Gruden's deal with Redskins includes rare five guaranteed years". CBSSports.
  29. "2015 Washington Redskins Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  30. "2016 Washington Redskins Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  31. Keim, John (March 6, 2017). "Redskins make necessary move with Jay Gruden's extension". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 6, 2017.
  32. "Redskins fire head coach Jay Gruden after 0-5 start". NFL.com. October 7, 2019. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  33. "Redskins fire head coach Jay Gruden after 0-5 start". NFL.com. October 7, 2019. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  34. Oehser, John. "Official: Gruden named offensive coordinator". Jaguars.com. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  35. "Redskins' new coach had family football foundation". Redskins XTRA. Archived from the original on October 10, 2014.
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