Gruden replaces Mike Shanahan who was fired day after season ended.
The Washington Redskins look set to appoint Jay Gruden as their new coach after an agreement was reached on Thursday between the two parties.
The 46-year-old was reportedly scheduled to be interviewed by the Minnesota Vikings for their coaching vacancy, but came to an agreement with Washington prior to the meeting.
He is expected to be introduced to the media by the Redskins on Thursday afternoon (16:00 ET), where he will be confirmed as Mike Shanahan’s successor, after the former coach was fired just a day after the regular season finished.
Gruden becomes the sixth coach that owner Dan Snyder has appointed in his 15 years, but none have lasted longer than four years.
Prior to being appointed head coach of the Redskins, Gruden was the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, and was seemingly in high demand as he had also met with the Tennessee Titans and had a visit scheduled with Detroit.
Despite his Bengals offense struggling in the post-season across the last three seasons, he was credited with improving quarterback Andy Dalton’s game and will now look to do the same with Robert Griffin III.
Washington believed that they had turned things around a season ago, after going 10-6 with RG III breaking various records in his rookie year.
Griffin threw for 3,200 yards, ran for 815 more, threw 20 touchdowns passes and ran for seven more in an historic opening year in the league.
However, after suffering a serious knee injury in early 2013, he was inconsistent throughout this season and eventually dropped to the bench for the final three games.
His reportedly tumultuous relationship with coach Shanahan prompted questions over whether or not he was happy with the set-up, but he will now look ahead to a fresh start next season with Gruden ready to take the reins.
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