+ If you were surprised that the Cincinnati Bengals hired Hue Jackson on Friday to become an assistant coach with the defensive backs and special teams, you're hardly alone. Jackson has limited (if any) experience as a defensive coach, much less as a defensive backs coach. The last time he was an assistant with special teams was 1991 with the defunct London Monarchs in the World League of American Football, which would eventually become NFL Europe (which is also now gone).
We get that Jackson is a personality and friend that Marvin Lewis likes to have on staff and we get that the job he signed up for was the only one available to him, despite the fact that Jackson is an offensive-minded coach.
But that's when it occurred to us.
Current Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden did much of the impossible. As a rookie offensive coordinator -- depending how you view his time in Tampa Bay with his older brother -- Gruden was tasked not only with integrating an entirely new offensive philosophy and system during the NFL lockout, but he was asked to do it with a rookie quarterback. Though the offense did struggle at times, both Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green were often in rookie of the year discussions.
Results as an offensive coordinator generated interest for vacant head coaching positions when the Bengals were eliminated from the playoffs this year. If he hadn't declined the opportunity, the Jacksonville Jaguars wouldn't have hired Mike Malarkey and the Bengals would be searching for a new offensive coordinator. Cincinnati eventually signed Gruden to a three-year extension, much like the deal they offered defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer in 2010.
Interest in Gruden will likely resurface after this year, obviously depending on how the offense produces in 2012. Who is to say that vacant head coaching positions in 2012 won't include Gruden in discussions? With two years in the books and teams looking for personalities that can incorporate a young quarterback into an offense like he did with Dalton, Gruden may be comfortable enough to take a head coaching gig by this time next year.
Once that happens the Bengals have likely made their move for an eventual replacement at offensive coordinator. And his name is Hue Jackson.
0 recs | 28 comments
I hope Gruden lays a foundation
Sorry,i’m glad to have HUE as a assistant,but i am terrified of him becoming the next OC
Hopefully Jay lays a foundation thats set in stone,Hue can then continue to gain fame,off the name other’s are making.
keithp - February 19, 2012
Jay Bengals HC in 2013
I believe Jay takes over as Bengals Head Coach in 2013. This is Marvin last year. Jay becomes HC, Hue maybe OC and hope Marvin GM fir the Bengals in 2013.
i am will - February 19, 2012
Zimmer will be HC before gruden
njbengalstat - February 19, 2012
agree
Touhue Cha - February 19, 2012
+1
AMAS85 - February 19, 2012
I believe
Gruden is next in line. Zim may have had his best chance recently. J is head coach material, was offered but refused, while Zim interviewed and was declined.
quickslant - February 19, 2012 via mobile
With that said...
Its Marvins job to lose
quickslant - February 19, 2012 via mobile
Gruden was offered interviews
Even gruden knew he didnt have his sea legs yet. If he got a HC job and sucked then it would be harder to get another coaching job
njbengalstat - February 19, 2012
It would be strange to see a coach go from the defensive side of the ball to OC.
If he was the assistant receivers coach or something, I’d completely buy into this.
sexsalad - February 19, 2012
I think they're just sticking him where there's an opening.
He’s only done offense throughout his career so it’s a weird spot regardless.
emeybee - February 19, 2012
Ur right
Am i missing something in regards that hes an offensive guy and we hire him for D?
njbengalstat - February 19, 2012
Buddy system
Absolutely nothing to read into this,other than Marvin extending a hand to a friend
keithp - February 19, 2012
Agreed
I think im reading too much into it. I dont mind the hiring but id rather have hired a defensive coach for the defensive job opening
njbengalstat - February 19, 2012
If they wanted to "stick" him somewhere...
They would have given him a bogus job title like “Game Day Replay Consultant”. By giving him an actual job, they expect him to do something. I do feel slightly bad for Marvin. 3 Guys on his own staff that will be “rumored/speculated” to take his job if he slips up or could all get better jobs elsewhere next year. Can any other team in the league make a case for having such a loaded coaching staff?
KSE - February 19, 2012
I think your drastically overestimating HUE's value around the league
Zimmer has a D-coordinator label thats sticking with him,to many interviews,not have landed a HC job by now
Gruden however is working on his own terms,whenever he decides to be a HC he will
Marvin’s our guy,i’d just assume keep it that way
keithp - February 19, 2012
I posted this as a comment on Friday
:-P
Just messing with you… I think it’s good planning on the Bengals part.
emeybee - February 19, 2012
Scenario:
2013: Marvin Leaves for a GM job. Jay or Hue gets promoted to HC with the other being promoted to or staying at OC position.
keithster - February 19, 2012
Marvin takes the GM job
or whatever title they give him… How long you figure he stays there? He’s still young. He would be coveted by other teams. The team has 4 HC quality guys. There’s a possibility that 3 of them will be gone next season. Makes 2012 even more exciting, for me at least.
KSE - February 19, 2012
HUE isnt never getting a HC job,unless Marvin gives it to him
keithp - February 19, 2012
i don't buy into this
Gruden has stated that he wants to be here and run this west coast offense for the bengals. They brought Hue Jackson here for one because he was a hell of wide receivers coach when he was here. And two that move to me for the oakland free agents such as: Micheal Bush, Tyron Branch, and Stanford Routt . Hue is a good football mind, and a good addition to this coaching staff. But i believe Gruden is here for the long hall. Also Zimmer might not ever get a head coaching job, not because he’s a bad coach, he’s a hell of a defensive coordinator but he’s to blunt to the GM’s and upper management. Just look at the Dolphins job, he had the interview and they flat out came to the media and said he was to blunt. he tells it how it is and i love zimmer !!
WHO DEY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thegrassisGREENer18 - February 19, 2012
and there is no guarentee gruden will get a HC job next year.
Zimmer would be a more qualified candidate than Gruden. I think he really wants to be here for a few years. To really understand how to develop pro athletes.
AMAS85 - February 19, 2012
Gruden's family settled down in the Cincy area, and his kids are at Cincy schools; that's probably why he wants to stay.
DTFCPDX - February 19, 2012
I think you're all wrong...
Don’t you see? It’s not for replacing coaches. It’s not about Michael Bush. It’s not about Stanford Routt. C’mon. Do y’all know anything at all about football? It’s all an attempt to get Houshmandzadeh back. Geez.
Ok. Gonna leave now and wait for the next time the board needs amazingly deep insight…riiight.
bengalsmofo - February 19, 2012
hahaha
Helmsy - February 19, 2012
Gotta have a little fun, right?
bengalsmofo - February 19, 2012
If I'm not mistaken oakland had a good ST unit last season
I read a few post on the Raiders blog about them pulling so many odd ball plays and fakes on ST that one game against KC the return unit played like a weird zone return zone in fear of trick plays.
Bigcatdaddy - February 19, 2012 via Android app
NO "HOUSH-DRIVE-KILLER-MANZADEH" PLEASE!!!
Do not want!!!
Makebelieve - February 20, 2012 via mobile
Hue's employment
By the Bengals could be nothing more than Mike Brown helping out a friend….an act of charity.
After what Hue did in Oakland, the last thing we should want is him as HC at PBS.
I wonder what Gruden and Zimmer think about his presence?
BENGALS69 - February 20, 2012
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