:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25998681/img_20131230_205736.0.jpg)
(1) Jay Gruden
Current Position: Offensive Coordinator for Cincinnati Bengals
Specialty: Offense
- Brother of Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden. His father (Jim), a former long-time college and NFL assistant coach, is a retired regional scout for the San Francisco 49ers
- Began coaching career as Offensive Coordinator for the Nashville Kats in 1997
- In 1998, he became the Head Coach of the Orlando Predators. He won Arena Bowl titles in 1998 and 2000
- His career record in AFL is 93-61 (11-7 in the playoffs)
- From 2002-2008, Jay worked as an Offensive Assistant on his brother Jon's staff with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They won Super Bowl XXXVII. He left when Jon Gruden was fired after the 2008 season
- Was hired to be Jim Haslett's Offensive Coordinator for the Florida Tuskers in the UFL in 2009
- In 2010, Gruden was named Head Coach of the Tuskers when Jim Haslett left to join Mike Shanahan's coaching staff for the Washington Redskins
- In 2011, Jay was hired as the Offensive Coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals. He was tasked with developing Andy Dalton
- In 2012, Gruden was asked to interview for Head Coach positions with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, and St. Louis Rams. Instead, he signed a 3-year extension with the Bengals
- In 2013, Jay interviewed for Head Coach jobs with the Arizona Cardinals,Philadelphia Eagles, and San Diego Chargers
- Jay's offensive philosophies come from his own personal success as a quarterback. He played at Louisville and is still top-5 in Cardinals history in passing yards, attempts, completions and touchdowns. Gruden's success continued in the AFL. Not only did he win 2 Arena Bowls as a Head Coach, but he won 4 Arena Bowls as a quarterback. In 1992, he was the League MVP. He is in the AFL Hall of Fame and is currently #4 on their top 20 players of all time.
(1) Darrell Bevell
Current Position: Offensive Coordinator for Seattle Seahawks
Specialty: Offense
- After going undrafted in 1995 as a quarterback, Bevell began his coaching career at Westmar University as a Passing Game Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach in 1996
- In 1997, Bevell worked as a Graduate Assistant at Iowa State University
- From 1998-1999, Darrell worked as a Wide Receivers Coach at the University of Connecticut
- Bevell got his first NFL job in 2000 as an Offensive Assistant for the Green Bay Packers. In 2003, he was promoted to Quarterbacks Coach where he worked with QB Brett Favre
- In 2006, Brad Childress was hired as the Head Coach of the Minnesota Vikings and he brought Bevell with him to be his Offensive Coordinator
- In 2009, Bevell was reunited with Brett Favre but this time as the Offensive Coordinator and play-caller. The Vikings went 12-4 that year eventually losing to the Super Bowl Champion Saints in the NFC Championship Game in overtime. That year, Favre 4,202 passing yards and 33 touchdowns.with a QB rating of 107.2 (his career best)
- In 2010, Brad Childress was fired mid-season and replaced with Interim Head Coach Lezlie Frazier. When Frazier became Head Coach, the Vikings did not retain Bevell.
- In 2011, Pete Carroll hired Darrell Bevell to be the Offensive Coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks
- During the 2012 off-season, Bevell did a lot of scouting work on Russell Wilson out of Wisconsin (Darrell's Alma-mater). Bevell then attended Russell Wilson's Pro day which few NFL scouts attended. It was thought that the Seahawks were set at QB with Matt Flynn and Tavaris Jackson but Seattle ended up drafting Russell Wilson in the 3rd round. When Pete Carroll was reached for comment on the Wilson pick, he said, "It was Bevell's project."
- After Wilson won the QB competition coming out of Training Camp, the Bevell/Wilson duo's first year produced a 11-5 record and 2nd place in the NFC West
- In 2012, Seahawks rushing offense improved from 21st in the NFL to 3rd averaging 161.2 yards per game
- Currently, the Seahawks are 13-3 and have the 4th best rushing attack in the NFL
- Through two seasons under Bevell, Wilson has accumulated a 100.6 QB rating and a completion percentage of 63.6. Also, has thrown 51 TDs and 19 INTs
Feel free to add any additional information/stories about either candidate in the comments section and it may be added to their bio.
