Jay Gruden Hired As Jaguars’ Offensive Coordinator

The Jacksonville Jaguars plan to bounce back from a disappointing 2019 campaign where they finished last in the AFC South with a 6-10 record. On Tuesday, the organization hired Jay Gruden, hoping the former Redskins’ head coach can improve a team that finished 20th in total offense, according to NFL Team Stats.

“We were trying to find someone who’s best for this staff, who’s best for what you want to run, then you’re looking for what person’s best for your players – who’s going to relate to the players, who’s going to be able to communicate with them,” Jaguars coach Doug Marrone said. “At the end of the day, we just felt that Jay was the best fit for us.”

The Redskins fired Gruden after an 0-5 start in his sixth season as head coach. He leaves Washington with a 35-49-1 record including an NFC East title and playoff appearance in 2015.

Before his first head coaching gig Gruden spent three years as the offensive coordinator in Cincinnati. In his three seasons the team finished with a winning record each year and in 2013, his offensive schemes helped the Bengals rank in the top ten in total yards per game, according to ESPN.

One of the toughest decisions Gruden will face is what quarterback will be starting Week 1 next season. Jacksonville had previously signed Nick Foles to a four-year, $88 million contract last March with a franchise record $50.125 guaranteed, but he sustained a broken collar bone in the first game of the 2019 season. He was replaced by rookie sixth round pick Gardner Minshew who went 4-5 before Foles returned. Much to the Jaguars’ chagrin, Foles struggled and was replaced by Minshew after just two and a half games. Marrone and general manager Dave Caldwell have not announced which quarterback will start in 2020.

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Since Doug Marrone was named head coach in 2017, he has hired three offensive coordinators including Gruden.

Article by Frank DeLorenzo