The Eagles announced that they will meet with Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden on Monday.
Gruden, 45, just wrapped up his second year as offensive coordinator for the Bengals. He has overseen the development of second-year players Andy Dalton and A.J. Green, both of whom reached the Pro Bowl in their rookie years. Gruden interviewed for the Arizona Cardinals' head coaching job on Thursday.
This season, the Bengals put up 223.6 passing yards per game, as well as 109.1 yards per game on the ground. Green was once again named to the Pro Bowl, but perhaps most importantly, the Bengals have made the playoffs in both years with Gruden.
The younger brother of former Eagles assistant Jon, Gruden has taken a slightly unusual path to the NFL. He began his coaching career as the offensive coordinator for the Nashville Kats of the Arena Football League. Gruden was the head coach of the AFL's Orlando Predators from 2004-08. During that time, Gruden also worked in the AFL's offseason on his brother's Buccaneers staff as an offensive assistant. In all, Gruden was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2002-08.
In 2009, he joined the Florida Tuskers (now the Virginia Destroyers) of the United Football League as the team's offensive coordinator. After a year, he was promoted to head coach/general manager, but left to join the Bengals for the 2011 season. Gruden signed a three-year extension with the Bengals last January.
| Jay Gruden's Playing And Coaching Bio | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | Position |
| 1985-88 | Louisville | Quarterback |
| 1990 | Barcelona Dragons (WLAF) | Quarterback |
| 1990 | Sacramento Surge (WLAF) | Quarterback |
| 1991-96 | Tampa Bay Storm (AFL) | Quarterback |
| 1997 | Nashville Kats (AFL) | Offensive Coordinator |
| 1998-2001 | Orlando Predators (AFL) | Head Coach |
| 2002-03 | Orlando Predators (AFL) | Quarterback |
| 2002-08 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Assistant Coach |
| 2004-08 | Orlando Predators (AFL) | Head Coach |
| 2009 | Florida Tuskers (UFL) | Offensive Coordinator |
| 2010 | Florida Tuskers (UFL) | Head Coach |
| 2011-Present | Cincinnati Bengals | Offensive Coordinator |
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