Redskins hire Jay Gruden
WITH THE REDSKINS i n complete disarray and Robert Griffin III’s future murky, the team hired a head coach named Gruden on Thursday — Jay Gruden.
The brother of the former Bucs and Raiders coach and current ESPN analyst took the reins of the dysfunctional Redskins, replacing Mike Shanahan who was canned last week in the wake of a 3-13 season.
“I don’t know what happened last year and I don’t care,” said Gruden at a Thursday press conference. Gruden had been the Bengals’ offensive coordinator until Cincinnati was bounced out of the playoffs last Sunday.
Gruden’s biggest challenge will be to turn around RGIII, who struggled mightily following a sensational rookie season. Griffin’s reputation also took a hit as there were rumblings that he was pointing fingers at teammates for his struggles.
“I expect him to take the blame on some throws, to be a great leader,” said Gruden, who became the sixth coach hired by Daniel Snyder in his 15 years as owner.
As for the Redskins, who haven’t won a playoff game since 2005, Gruden said: “I want a sense of confidence and a sense of pride, the sooner the better, and then we’ll have a chance to succeed.”
While not as famous as his Super Bowlwinning brother, Gruden has gotten around.
He played quarterback for the Barcelona Dragons and the Sacramento Surge in the long-defunct World League of American Football in 1990. He then went to the Arena Football League, where he was so successful as a player and coach that he was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 1999.
He’s been a head coach in both the AFL and UFL, including stints with the AFL’s Orlando Predators from 1998-2001 and 2004-08 that included four appearances in the championship game and two league titles. He was also on his brother’s staff in Tampa Bay, where he worked at various times with current Redskins GM Bruce Allen, Redskins defensive backs coach Raheem Morris and tight ends coach Sean McVay. — Staff report