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Washington Redskins: Why Jay Gruden deserves more respect

By Ian Cummings

NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins ooks on as his team takes on the New Orleans Saints during the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 19, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NOVEMBER 19: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins ooks on as his team takes on the New Orleans Saints during the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 19, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Chris Thompson #25 of the Washington Redskins smiles as he speaks with Jay Gruden head coach of the Washington Redskins before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Chris Thompson #25 of the Washington Redskins smiles as he speaks with Jay Gruden head coach of the Washington Redskins before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Attracting Respect

“He’s a better coordinator than he is a head coach.”

This is a statement that is true for many who have flirted with head coaching roles. It was true for current Washington Redskins defensive line coach Jim Tomsula when he spent a year as the San Francisco 49ers’ head coach.

The same cannot be said for Gruden, however. He was a very good offensive coordinator, and that was what led to him garnering consideration for the Washington Redskins’ head coaching job back in 2014. Since then, he’s only provided more evidence that he’s just as good a head coach as he was a coordinator in Cincinnati.

His ability to scheme is one thing, but it’s clear, upon simply listening to Gruden speak, that he has the right demeanor and the right mindset to be a head coach in the NFL. Gruden is a relaxed, level-headed coach, but at the same time, he doesn’t mince words, and he knows when to be more demanding.

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Players in the NFL value a balance. It’s important to stay on schedule, and keep a clear goal in focus. But in contrast, it’s important to cultivate and sustain a level of camaraderie and kinsmanship, among both coaches and players. When co-workers are more comfortable together, they work better. It’s a proven truth in every workplace, and the NFL is no different.

Gruden is the perfect boss for the Washington Redskins. Per Jamaul Forrest of 247 Sports, Gruden  is “a player’s coach, and respected by his guys, and also shares the credit along with former GM Scot McCloughan for changing the culture of Washington.”

Culture is important, and it is fragile. Replacing a head coach is no small change. All head coaches have different ways of doing things, and if Gruden’s strategy matches his personnel, then the Washington Redskins should sooner give him a few more lives than go searching for other options. It’s as simple as the old adage: If it’s not broke, why fix it?

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