Oakland Raiders: Why Jon Gruden should hire Jeff Garcia as QBs coach

As Oakland Raiders head coach Jon Gruden continues to piece together his coaching staff, he should give serious consideration to Jeff Garcia.

The Oakland Raiders officially hired 13 assistants, all listed on the team’s official website, but there’s a remaining opening for a quarterbacks coach on head coach Jon Gruden’s staff. Would 11-year NFL veteran Jeff Garcia serve quality fit for the position?

Quarterbacks coaches don’t often generate buzz unless they’ve taken part in the development of a young signal-caller—something that’s helped Philadelphia Eagles assistant John DeFilippo garner interest as a head coach and offensive coordinator candidate once his team finishes their postseason journey.

Garcia’s coaching resume is blank, and he hasn’t thrown an NFL pass in a decade. However, that doesn’t mean the 47-year-old brings very little to the table. Gruden expressed interest in Rich Gannon, another former NFL quarterback, to fit the coaching spot.

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Similar to the CBS analyst, Garcia has logged a Pro Bowl season under the Raiders head coach. He knows how to handle the intensity, passion and understands what Oakland’s new lead man wants out of the position.

On 95.7 The Game’s Mornings with Joe, Lo and Dibs, Garcia publicly announced his interest in the quarterbacks job:

"“I grew up with it, with a dad and grandpa as football coaches. I mean, it’s in my blood. I’ve reached out the Jon to express that I’m interested in being an assistant of some sort — that I would love to be involved in the game.I would love to have the opportunity. I would love to get my foot in the door and be able to be back in the Bay Area and work with the Raiders, but that’s something that’s not really in my control. That’s their decision.”"

Why should Gruden add an eager inexperienced assistant to the staff?

TAMPA, FL – SEPTEMBER 04: Offensive coordinator Greg Olson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers talks with the quarterbacks against the Houston Texans during a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on September 4, 2009 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images) /

Too Many Voices in the Quarterbacks Room?

When Gannon turned down the Raiders assistant job, he cited the time needed to dedicate to the position and Gruden’s intensity as two aspects to consider, per 95.7 The Game’s Greg Papa Show:

"I did speak with him earlier this morning, and, I’ll just be honest with you guys, I really came to my senses probably on the flight up there yesterday to go to the press conference,” Gannon said. “And (I) just realized to work alongside Jon Gruden, it takes a special person. It takes a person with great energy and passion, commitment, and more importantly, time.”And I didn’t think it would be fair to myself, my family or even to Jon not to either be all in with him, and so, we talked this morning. I think he understood that."

There’s no doubt Gruden will have the most authoritative voice as quarterback Derek Carr develops going forward. Offensive coordinator Greg Olson will serve as a supporting link in communicating the head coach’s message as a glorified assistant.

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It’s worth noting, Olson has been an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for multiple teams throughout his 16-year NFL coaching career. Gruden doesn’t have a dire need for an individual assistant assigned to quarterbacks.

However, Garcia has been a serviceable backup signal-caller in his career. He’d become a great example for the No. 2 and No. 3 passers on the depth chart—specifically—how to prepare and remain ready despite taking snaps with reserves.

Keep in mind Carr has missed a game in each of the past two seasons. Some feel he rushed back during the previous campaign after breaking a few bones in his back, diagnosed as a transverse process fracture. The Raiders could’ve allowed their starter to heal with a well-prepared backup ready to take the reins.

Garcia’s experience as the lead signal-caller under Gruden obviously helps Carr, but his time as clipboard-holder could also cover the Raiders in a time of crisis. We often overlook the backup until he’s warming up on the sidelines prior to entering the game.

Like a Bill Belichick-coached team, the Raiders should prepare for any possible scenario. Why else would the New England Patriots have capable No. 2 assets such as Jacoby Brissett and Jimmy Garoppolo behind Tom Brady over the past few years?

Familiarity with Greg Olson

If Garcia joins the Raiders, it wouldn’t be the first time that the former quarterback, Gruden and Olson joined forces.

Garcia started 11 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2008 campaign. As we all know Gruden served as the team’s lead skipper from 2002-08. He also hired Olson as the quarterbacks coach in his final season with the club. There’s much familiarity among the three men, which leads to hope they’d coexist when deciding what’s best for Carr.

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As a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, Olson worked with Garcia on three occasions: 2001 with the San Francisco 49ers, 2005 as part of the Detroit Lions organization and, as mentioned, 2008 in Tampa Bay.

Garcia would join the Raiders as more than a third wheel. He’s an experienced NFL veteran, who’s been in various scenarios as a familiar face to an offensive-minded head coach and supporting coordinator. Carr would absorb a wealth of knowledge from all three individuals in a potentially tight-knit group.

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