Jay Gruden Joining Raiders As Assistant Coach?
Is Jay Gruden joining the Raiders as assistant coach?
Based on a recent interview he did, it seems like that move may be in the cards.
Gruden, 52, appeared on the “RapSheet and Friends” podcast this week and opened up about his future plans.
Speaking to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Gruden admitted that he was itching to return to the NFL.
Gruden was fired by the Washington Redskins five games into the 2019 season. In five years as head coach he amassed a record of 35-50-1, with one postseason appearance.
Based on that track record, organizations may not be lining up to give him a head coaching gig.
“Hopefully I’ll get an opportunity to talk to some owners and maybe get another opportunity to be a head coach,” Gruden said.
“I could take a year off if I don’t get that job that I’m looking for, or if I don’t get offered one.”
While Gruden is unlikely to get another head coaching position any time soon, he could land somewhere as an offensive coordinator.
When asked if he would be interested in joining the Raiders and working alongside his brother, Gruden seemed amicable to the idea.
“He’s got a complete staff right now, so they don’t have any job openings right now,” Gruden said.
“I’ll have to look at different avenues first and then if that offer comes at a later time then I’ll have to look at it.”
Either way, Gruden insists that he will make sure that his next landing spot is a good fit.
“You just got to make sure you’re with the right people, that’s the most important thing,” he said.
“Whatever the opportunity is, whether it’s a coordinator or a head coach, you got to make sure you mesh with the people that you’re working with.”
If the Raiders get off to a slow start next season, particularly due to the offense, don’t be surprised to see Gruden suddenly land back alongside his brother.
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Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
