Going into Week 5 it appears the firing of Jay Gruden is inevitable for the Washington Redskins. He has become a lame duck coach that has run his course as the head coach. While he isn’t the bottom line issue of the Redskins woes, Gruden will be the scapegoat of the dumpster fire the franchise has become.
Gruden survived last week report of his pending firing despite losing to the equally bad New York Giants 24-3. He then spat in the face of many fans, pundits, and possibly his own bosses by naming Colt McCoy the starting quarterback for Sunday’s battle against the New England Patriots over first-round pick Dwayne Haskins.
Then two videos surfaced of Gruden participating in questionable behavior. And the Redskins are suspected to be the leak of the videos that are approximately two years old.
With Washington entering Sunday’s game a 15.5-point underdog against the defending Super Bowl champions, another embarrassing loss seems evident. Thus pushing the Redskins to a potential 0-5 start for the first time since 2001, and Gruden on the brink of being fired.
Gruden has coached the Redskins to one playoff game in his first five seasons and with zero 10-win seasons. That’s more than reasons to remove the coach, especially after a potential 0-5 start in year six, and the fact the Redskins have four obvious choices on their current staff to replace him as head coach in the interim, with hopes of playing Haskins and looking towards the future, gives more reasoning to move on from Gruden.
Let’s examine:
4. Matt Cavanaugh
Matt Cavanaugh comes in as the fourth-best choice, nudging out inside linebackers coach Rob Ryan. Cavanaugh was essentially demoted from offensive coordinator to special offensive assistant in large to bump up and keep Kevin O’Connell before the 2019 season.
Cavanaugh does not have head coach experience, however, he has been an NFL assistant since 1992. He also seems more in tune with the development of Haskins. Most likely any switch at head coach would result in the interim coach primary focal point being the development of the first-round pick.
Cavanaugh has always had an input in the play calling of the offense so he is familiar in what Haskins can and cannot do. Also, by placing Cavanaugh at head coach it allows O’Connell to remain the offensive coordinator focused on the game planning and Bill Callahan to remain the offensive line coach where he may be needed most as the unit has struggled throughout the season without Trent Williams and with injuries to Brandon Scherff and Chase Rouiller.
While there are other choices with name value, Cavanaugh may be the best option for synergy.
3. Jim Tomsula
The Redskins defensive line coach has head coaching experience. In fact, he once served as an interim coach in 2010 with the San Francisco 49ers following the firing of Mike Singletary. He was later named the head coach of the 49ers in 2015 after Jim Harbaugh’s firing. He was fired after just one season. He comprised a record of 6-11 in 17 games as head coach.
Tomsula is a high-energy coach, as evident from animated style of coaching. Players flock to him, and right now he has the Redskins’ most-dominant position unit. He has experience at being the top guy on a staff, although not successful, it’s better than all but one Redskins assistant.
The only hold-up would be maintaining the defensive line’s production with Jonathan Allen, Matt Ioannidis, Daron Payne, and Tim Settle while being taking over the duties that follow being a head coach.
2. Kevin O’Connell
The Redskins’ 34-year old offensive coordinator probably should be No. 1 on this list. He has been tabbed the next young great mind in the NFL. Even recently retired NFL wide receiver Torrey Smith has sang his praises.
The Redskins have been the developing home to multiple head coaches, including Kyle Shanahan, Matt LaFleur and Sean McVay. Those three are a combined 9-3 this season with McVay reaching the Super Bowl with his Los Angeles Rams last season. And that’s the biggest reason why they’ve tried so hard to keep O’Connell, including promoting him to offensive coordinator before the 2019 season.
He is the odd-on favorite to replace Gruden as the head coach for 2020 season, but with Gruden’s in-season dismissive increasing by the week, the Redskins may be force to give him the title earlier than expected.
By naming O’Connell the interim coach, Washington can use the 11 weeks or so to serve as his on-the-job interview. Give him a trial to get accustom to being the top guy on a staff.
The Redskins don’t want to lose the “Next Sean McVay” that could possibly happen without him being promoted to head coach. The biggest question of course is he ready?
They will have to find that out. And what better way than to give him a season in trust. It also allows him to build a more understanding of Haskins and the both come through together.
1. Bill Callahan
The obvious choice is Bill Callahan. He has been a head coach in the NFL, leading his team to a Super Bowl in the process with the Oakland Raiders. He also was the head coach at Nebraska in college. He is arguably the most liked and respected coach on the Redskins and that includes Jay Gruden.
Callahan is currently the offensive line coach, and considering the amount of injuries and turmoil he has faced in the past three seasons, he is doing a commendable job. He is sound veteran voice that has a winning resume to show for and can help whip together a team mixed with veterans and young players.
Naming Callahan the interim coach also serves as the best option for O’Connell. If O’Connell is the next Redskins head coach, Callahan serving in the interim, gives O’Connell a clean slate entering the 2020 season.
O’Connell still gets to build his relationship with Haskins, while Callahan handles the duties of a head coach for the remainder of the season.
There are many reasons the Redskins could make a rare move and part ways with Gruden mid-season. Callahan, O’Connell, Tomsula, and Cavanaugh give them four more reasons.
