Mike Zimmer, Jay Gruden have interview requests from Washington Redskins
Jay Gruden prior to the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Redskins head coaching search is in full-force, and this organization could make a strong case for hiring either a coach who cuts his teeth on the offensive side of the football or a coach who is more savvy with offenses. Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott has done an excellent job of coaching one of the best defenses in football, and he’s already become one of the best DCs in the game. He’s a top candidate for the Redskins job, and Dan Snyder and Co. have also looked at Vanderbilt Commodores head coach James Franklin in the college ranks.
But one coach who has consistently surfaced in Redskins-related rumors is Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who is about as highly regarded as McDermott. He has done an amazing job of consistently fielding a top-notch defense in Cincy, and his ability to find fixes following injuries is among the best; he’s also great at working with players and very savvy with X’s and O’s.
According to a source close to the Washington Post’s Mark Maske, the Redskins have asked the Bengals for interviews with Zimmer and offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, who is also a touted coordinator. Both coaches have received interview requests from the Minnesota Vikings, and they are another organization that could go either way on the head coaching spectrum. While it is important to give Robert Griffin III strong coaching help, the defense is in shambles. In my view, it’s best to hire a DC like Zimmer (I think he’s a better coach than Gurden, anyway, though Gruden’s not bad) and a strong offensive coordinator who can work closely with RG3.