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NFL Coach Power Rankings: Where Jay Gruden fits in among the 32 coaches

By Jacob Camenker

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 29: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins talks with quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/ Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 29: Head coach Jay Gruden of the Washington Redskins talks with quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 29, 2015 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Matt Hazlett/ Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 14: Head coach Doug Marrone of the Jacksonville Jaguars asks head linesman Jerry Bergman #91 for a replay review in the first quarter during the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on January 14, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 14: Head coach Doug Marrone of the Jacksonville Jaguars asks head linesman Jerry Bergman #91 for a replay review in the first quarter during the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on January 14, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

player. 52. . Head Coach. Jacksonville Jaguars. Doug Marrone. 9

Doug Marrone has been one of the better head coaches in the NFL since he was hired by the Buffalo Bills in 2013. During his three-plus years as a coach for the Bills and Jaguars, Marrone has posted a 26-24 record. And given the state of both these franchises before Marrone’s arrival, the work he has done has been incredible.

With the Bills, Marrone inherited a team without an established quarterback that hadn’t had a winning season since 2004. While Marrone’s selection of EJ Manuel didn’t pan out as a starter, in just two seasons, Marrone led the team to a 9-7 record and almost qualified for the postseason. It seemed that things were taking a turn in Buffalo, and that they would be ready to take the next step.

However, Marrone opted out of his contract that offseason after a change in leadership with the Bills. He ended up landing with the Jaguars as an assistant head coach and offensive line coach after missing out on the available coaching gigs. After Gus Bradley was fired, Marrone took over as the interim head coach and won the heart of Tom Coughlin. He had the interim tag stripped during the 2017 offseason and took over the hapless Jaguars.

The Jaguars hadn’t had a winning season since 2007 when Marrone took over. And in 2017, he led them to a 10-6 record and a playoff berth. He managed to turn the Jaguars defense into the second best unit in the league, but his work on offense was even more impressive. Despite Blake Bortles being the starter, the Jags had a top five unit in scoring and ranked sixth in yardage. This was thanks to the rigorous system Marrone put into place to challenge his players.

Marrone eventually would bring the Jaguars to the AFC Title Game where they lost to the Patriots. But the fact that the Jaguars grew so much in just one season inspired a lot of hope that their growth could continue. And Marrone should be just the tough, hard-nosed coach to get them to new heights.

Speaking of Marrone’s tough nature, it does rub some the wrong way. WalterFootball.com’s Charlie Campbell said that Marrone is “known to be as one of the biggest jerks and meanest people in the NFL” in a recent piece.

Additionally, Marrone’s own players were upset by some of the changes he made to the locker room and commented on how tough training camp was, per the Associated Press. These may just be minor blips on the radar, especially regarding the removal of certain items from the locker room, but if the sentiment about Marrone is true, then it’s possible he could eventually lose his players if he pushes them too hard.

Regardless, it’s clear that Marrone knows how to get results. He turns underachievers into overachievers. He can scheme around weaknesses and gameplans to his team’s strengths. He may be one of the more underrated coaches in the league and with another solid season, he could establish himself as one of the next top coaches in the league.

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