Staying With The Cincinnati Bengals: Jay Gruden Will Not Interview For Head Coaching Positions

by Josh Kirkendall on Jan 10, 2012 4:34 PM EST in Coaching News

Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden has been a name associated for vacant head coaching positions in Jacksonville, with idle (aka, waiting for Jeff Fisher) interest from the St. Louis Rams. In the end none of it really mattered. According to NFL Network Insider Jason La Canfora, Jay Gruden is going to remain in Cincinnati as the Bengals offensive coordinator.

@JasonLaCanfora
Jason La CanforaJay Gruden will not be interviewing for head coaching jobs. Very happy in Cincy. Rams and Jags wanted to talk him. #insideslant 4 minutes ago via Twitter for BlackBerry® · powered by @socialditto

Albert Breer initially reported that Gruden was the favorite candidate for the vacant head coaching position for the Jacksonville Jaguars, going so far as to say that Gruden told the Jaguars that he was interested -- though Gruden denied any communication took place between himself and any NFL team.

On Tuesday reports surfaced that the St. Louis Rams were interested, even reportedly scheduling an interview on Thursday.

UPDATE: Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer confirms.

@joereedy
Joe ReedyJust talked to Gruden: It is official, he is staying for 2012. Says he has unfinished business and likes the direction of the offense. 2 minutes ago via Twittelator · powered by @socialditto

As did Brad Johansen, Local 12 Sports Director:

@bradjohansen
Brad JohansenJust confirmed @local12 following conversation with Bengals, Jay Gruden "will not pursue other coaching opportunities" and happy to stay. 2 minutes ago via TweetDeck · powered by @socialditto

And Joe Danneman from Fox 19:

@FOX19Joe
Joe DannemanBengals confirm to FOX19 that offensive coordinator Jay Gruden is "happy in Cincinnati and not pursuing other jobs." 1 minute ago via web · powered by @socialditto

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Comments

this is great news

by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Jan 10, 2012 4:42 PM EST reply actions

Good news on 2 levels

1. It will give a very young offense some consistency.
2. It shows that the Bengals have turned a page as far as people wanting to be here.

by emeybee on Jan 10, 2012 4:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions

+ 1

What do you do when there's no way out? Find a way to get deeper in it.

by jimbasa on Jan 10, 2012 5:36 PM EST up reply actions

+1

Especially with regard to your second comment. This is huge! He must REALLY like it here and WANT to be here if he won’t even so much as merely interview for a HC position. Also, for those saying that the Rams and Jags are garbage jobs and that they aren’t appealing,since there are only 32 such jobs available, they are all appealing (some are more appealing than others, but all are appealing). Plus, Head Coaches are generally very proud people, and they all think they can turn any organization around, no matter how dire the organization appears. This news speaks volumes about jay’s sincere desire to stay here!

Here’s to a top 10 (or higher) offense in 2012!!

by The_Black_Stripes on Jan 10, 2012 5:59 PM EST up reply actions

Great new just for the continuity for development

of our young offense. Not to mention I think Jay will be a great playcaller with a few more options and more experienced players.

by Luke on Jan 10, 2012 4:43 PM EST reply actions

very very pleased

With this news.

by Hines_Wards_Tears on Jan 10, 2012 4:45 PM EST reply actions

Good because their may be a HC vacancie for our team next year

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 10, 2012 4:47 PM EST reply actions

I was thinking the same thing

Do you think the alien that took over Mike Brown’s brain actually thought ahead when he hired Jay and said get acclamated to the team for a couple of years and get your feet wet and then you will be in a position to take over as HC once Marvin’s deal is up.

by biggie22 on Jan 10, 2012 5:29 PM EST up reply actions

Look for our offense to explode next year!!!

by pray4gm11 on Jan 10, 2012 4:52 PM EST via mobile reply actions

NICE!

I can’t wait to see what he can do with a full offseason, especially now that he has an even better feel of the players’ abilities. It would have been a shame if he’d become a head coach because we’d have had no way of knowing what he can really do as an offensive coordinator.

Cincy Jungle: Where the Rocky Mountains are in the Pacific Ocean

by sexsalad on Jan 10, 2012 4:59 PM EST reply actions

Pumped about this.

This makes the draft even better. Can’t wait to see how Dalton’s sophmore season unfolds with Shipley in the picture.

by redrifle14 on Jan 10, 2012 6:33 PM EST up reply actions

Gruden also probably realizes

That those are garbage jobs that would be setting himself up for failure.

Regardless, good news!

CincyJungle.com Manager/Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @CUIBengalsFan

by Anthony Cosenza on Jan 10, 2012 4:59 PM EST reply actions

The job in St. Louis doesn't look terrible.

Got a solid quarterback and RB, with #2 drafting slot. Need to work on the line and get another receiver, but you could make something happen with that situation I think.

Now Jacksonville would a tough place to succeed, though.

by Luke on Jan 10, 2012 6:12 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah I had my doubts that he would leave

and the turd his offense laid in Houston didn’t help his changes either.

Relieved he is staying. Now if he can get us a +1200 yards RB out of the draft for 2012, he’ll have a power house offense next season.

by BENGALS69 on Jan 10, 2012 5:10 PM EST reply actions

Nice

@joereedy
Joe Reedy
Just talked to Gruden: It is official, he is staying for 2012. Says he has unfinished business and likes the direction of the offense.

by Oregonbengalsfan on Jan 10, 2012 5:11 PM EST reply actions

all signs pointing towards a RB and SS in the first round!

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 10, 2012 5:16 PM EST up reply actions

all signs pointing towards a RB and SS in the first round!

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 10, 2012 5:16 PM EST up reply actions

Exactly what I was thinking

by SCbengalsfan on Jan 10, 2012 5:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

How many years left on Marvin's contract???

Might Gruden be positioning himself to take over in Cincy? I’ve actually been a fan of Marvin, so I’m not suggesting anything here. But still…just sayin.

by M Shop on Jan 10, 2012 5:15 PM EST reply actions

i said the same thing

thats why i think both zimmer and gruden stay. THey will have better personal here, if Marvin has another bust season.

AMAS

by AMAS85 on Jan 10, 2012 5:17 PM EST up reply actions

1 more season left on Marvin's deal. Prove it or bust.

Paul Brown Stadium, where everyone's hopes go to die.

by DTFCPDX on Jan 10, 2012 5:34 PM EST up reply actions

+1000

by keithster on Jan 10, 2012 5:45 PM EST up reply actions

Uh-Oh u know what im thinking??

Jermaine Gresham is going to have a similar year like Gronkowski of the Patriots

and AJ “Optimus Prime” Green is going to have a Huge Year with 90+ Rec and over 1400yds and 11TD’s

by Touhue Cha on Jan 10, 2012 5:17 PM EST reply actions

Gresham time

Just think, if Gruden had left, it would be Gresham’s third OC in his three years here. We all need to remember that yes, he did not have a great season, not awful, but not great, but he was also learning a new system along with everyone else. Not only does this help Dalton and Green’s development, but Gresham’s as well.

by Ben-GAL on Jan 11, 2012 10:40 AM EST up reply actions

great news.

now we must retain Zimmer.

by keithster on Jan 10, 2012 5:28 PM EST reply actions

nice

"the bengals are not a west of the 104 longitude team."

by palewook on Jan 10, 2012 5:31 PM EST reply actions

WHO DEY!

by Bigcatdaddy on Jan 10, 2012 5:35 PM EST via Android app reply actions

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

I think we have our theme for 2012.

by Israeli on Jan 10, 2012 5:38 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

I love it

You called iy Israeli.

by Bigcatdaddy on Jan 10, 2012 6:25 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

+100

by cincyboi on Jan 10, 2012 6:48 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Good news.

Gruden didn’t light it up here, but he did show some things. There were a couple of problems, but this year he’ll have full off-season and a sophomore QB and WR instead of rookies. Hopefully we’ll have a top-half offence.

by Aether on Jan 10, 2012 5:41 PM EST reply actions

How stupid is Albert Breer?

Albert Breer initially reported that Gruden was the favorite candidate for the vacant head coaching position for the Jacksonville Jaguars, going so far as to say that Gruden told the Jaguars that he was interested

What do you do when there's no way out? Find a way to get deeper in it.

by jimbasa on Jan 10, 2012 5:47 PM EST reply actions

No kidding.

Unless the Jags wanted him and fabricated part of the story, but i doubt it.

by redrifle14 on Jan 10, 2012 6:34 PM EST up reply actions

Its Great to see a coach that is loyal to a program

*cough *cough Urban Meyer *cough *cough

WHO DEY!!

by Tampa_Bengal on Jan 10, 2012 5:54 PM EST reply actions

He is loyal.....

He always said Ohio State was his dream job, so he was true to his word and jumped on it when the opportunity came. :)

by Ben-GAL on Jan 11, 2012 10:41 AM EST up reply actions

The coach I think was disloyal more than any

was Brian Kelly. He left for ND before Cincinnati’s bowl game, after they had a great season.

by Oregonbengalsfan on Jan 11, 2012 11:30 AM EST up reply actions

Anybody else get the notion that Gruden's agent was behind

the smoke signals for his client? Kind of building a brand around his guy?

by BENGALS69 on Jan 10, 2012 5:59 PM EST reply actions

Smart move for Jay.

If he failed as a HC in the NFL, he’d have a hard time getting his next gig if teams were worried about his commitment.

Andy Dalton: An American Hero

by Pardon_My_French on Jan 10, 2012 6:02 PM EST reply actions

+1

I think its too premature for him to take a head coaching right now its good to get more experience as the OC and then venture onward

by Tampa_Bengal on Jan 10, 2012 6:06 PM EST up reply actions

Also, I think he knows that he's got a lot invested in Dalton.

He’s tied to Dalton for going nuts about him pre-draft. If he can turn him from a good rookie to a great pro, he’s got it made for a while. Plus, he still loves Dalton. As others have mentioned above, he might be the guy to end up taking over if Marv isn’t extended after next season. He’d get to take over a head coaching job with the quarterback he hand-picked. That’d be a good gig.

Andy Dalton: An American Hero

by Pardon_My_French on Jan 10, 2012 8:17 PM EST up reply actions

I was thinking the same

Plus it’s a good sign that we really so have a bright future. If he didn’t see a big up side to this team he would’ve jumped ship first chance he got. Lol even though it was his first chance. Also going to a bad team and blowing it would kill his chances of getting back in a HC position but he wouldn’t have stayed if he didn’t think we could get better. Cause that could kill his chances as well.

by Bigcatdaddy on Jan 10, 2012 8:52 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

Everything I've read states Marvin pointed out Dalton to Gruden

Now that doesn’t mean Gruden didn’t immediately become enamored with Dalton and go nuts about him, but yeah.

by Oregonbengalsfan on Jan 10, 2012 9:20 PM EST up reply actions

Huh, I never heard that, but I'm sure you're right.

Either way, Gruden absolutely telegraphed the pick when the reports came out about how much he loved Dalton. Andy is his guy.

Andy Dalton: An American Hero

by Pardon_My_French on Jan 10, 2012 10:07 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah he did that.

I had just finished reading an article the other day looking back at the beginning of the season about how as soon as Gruden arrived, Marvin said “hey check out this Dalton from TCU”

by Oregonbengalsfan on Jan 10, 2012 10:17 PM EST up reply actions

Very Happy!!!!

Follow me on Twitter @BonnieBengal

by BonnieBengal on Jan 10, 2012 6:04 PM EST reply actions

NIICCCCEEEEE

good start to the offseason

"In a battle between patience and power, patience always wins"

by ticalcaldwell on Jan 10, 2012 6:11 PM EST reply actions

Well

Benson will almost surely be gone now

by SCbengalsfan on Jan 10, 2012 6:17 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Hell yes!!! Who Dey!!

by DonMegga on Jan 10, 2012 6:26 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Awesome news........

we needed another full year under this system and a few new weapons. We now will get both.

"The next person you see that throws something, point em out! You don’t live in Cleveland, you live in Cincinnati!"
- Sam Wyche

by The Van Buren Boys on Jan 10, 2012 6:31 PM EST reply actions

I already liked Gruden...

But what he said raises my level of respect for him. “unfinished business” he didnt just race to the first H.C job. He knows offers will continue to come if this offense keeps getting better. And hey, maybe he can be the next Bengals Head coach in a few years……

by cincyboi on Jan 10, 2012 6:47 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Sweet!

Really really like this guy. Now lets get him a better OL and a couple playmakers for this offense!

by TCfromDubVee on Jan 10, 2012 7:10 PM EST reply actions

This is just wonderful

AJ Green = Optimus Prime

by Helmsy on Jan 10, 2012 7:28 PM EST reply actions

My respect for Jay Gruden just went from 10 to 11

Wow. If these reports are true (and there seem to be too many of them for it to be a false rumor) then Jay Gruden just won a TON of points in my book. Even if he bails after next year (hopefully with a SB ring) he’s got my fandom.

by eric nyc on Jan 10, 2012 7:49 PM EST reply actions

This makes me 100 times more confident in our offense next season

Gruden will have a full offseason to get everyone playing the way he wants them to. Also, with the comments he had about Benson, once he gets “his guy” in there at RB it could be a very potent offense

AJ Green = Optimus Prime

by Helmsy on Jan 10, 2012 7:54 PM EST reply actions