John Wooten recommended Hue Jackson to Washington Redskins

Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and offensive coordinator Jay Gruden are the typical assistant coaches being thrown around as possible head coaching candidates out of Cincinnati. Makes sense, considering that they were both interviewed for vacancies last year.

However, former Oakland Raiders head coach Hue Jackson could generate interest soon.

According to the Washington Post, Jackson was "recommended" for the head coaching job in Washington. The recommendation came from John Wooten, the chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, whose mission is promote diversity for coaching, front office executives and scouts through the NFL. The Redskins are "expected" to interview Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell next week, according to the same organization.

The only interview that we know of, which remains unconfirmed at this point, is the Minnesota Vikings' interest in Mike Zimmer.

Jackson, the Bengals running backs coach after replacing the retired Jim Anderson, was fired as Oakland's head coach after only one season. Along with having an inadvisable press conference after the final game in '11, the Raiders had a regime change and Jackson was forced out. Cincinnati hired him back (he was the Bengals wide receivers coach from 2004 through 2006) as the team's assistant defensive backs coach soon after.

Not only is Jackson a possible candidate for a head coaching vacancy, but he could also leave for an offensive coordinator position (or replace Gruden if he leaves). Jackson has been an offensive coordinator with the Washington Redskins (2003), Atlanta Falcons (2007) and Oakland Raiders (2010).

One name that we're wondering about is special teams coach Darrin Simmons. The Bengals routinely have one of the better special teams units in the NFL (especially in coverage teams). Granted, special teams coaches have a difficult path towards becoming a head coach, but it's not unheard of (see: Harbaugh, John).