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Redskins: 30 candidates who could potentially replace Jay Gruden as head coach

By Jacob Camenker

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 06: head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers calls a timeout in the fourth quarter during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on October 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 06: head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers calls a timeout in the fourth quarter during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on October 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 29: Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell looks on before a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at FedEx Field on August 29, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – AUGUST 29: Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell looks on before a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at FedEx Field on August 29, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

12. player. 58. . Offensive Coordinator. Washington Commanders. Kevin O'Connell

Previously: 6

If there is going to be an internal candidate to take the Redskins coaching vacancy, it’s going to be Kevin O’Connell.

O’Connell, the former third-round pick by the New England Patriots out of San Diego State, spent parts of five seasons in the NFL as a quarterback for five different organizations. He went 4-of-6 for 23 yards during his career with all of his passes coming in mop-up duty during his first season with the Patriots.

Since his departure from playing in 2012, O’Connell has turned himself into a respected coaching candidate at the NFL level despite just being 34 years old. He broke into the coaching ranks as a quarterbacks coach with the Cleveland Browns in 2015. He would switch teams twice in the next two seasons working for the San Francisco 49ers and the Washington Redskins. But for the past few seasons, O’Connell has climbed the ladder in Washington.

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After beginning as the team’s quarterbacks coach in 2017, O’Connell was promoted to be the pass-game coordinator in 2018. This was to avoid losing him to his former boss, Chip Kelly, who became a head coach at UCLA and wanted to hire O’Connell to run his offense. Then, in 2019, O’Connell was promoted to offensive coordinator as he took over for Matt Cavanaugh, who became the team’s assistant head coach.

So far, O’Connell’s offense has had its moments. It hasn’t always been good, but it’s clear that he has had some innovative ideas like using Steven Sims Jr. as a ball-carrier out of the backfield. If the front office likes O’Connell enough and thinks that he has shown enough as a head coaching option, they could elect to give the young offensive-minded coach a chance.

The reason that O’Connell isn’t higher here is that the team might prefer to fully clean house in their search for a new head coach. So, that could be an obstacle for O’Connell. Still, if the team likes him enough, they could try to keep him around as the new coach. But either way, O’Connell will be able to find work whether or not the ‘Skins target him as a head coach. And who knows? Maybe he could even stay on as the team’s offensive coordinator.

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