Updated 11/8/15 at 4:20pm EST
The Washington Redskins have been a dysfunctional organization since Dan Snyder bought the team, and Jay Gruden's handling of Robert Griffin III has not helped matters. General manager Scot McCloughan took over at the start of this year and he might want to bring in his own coach soon, especially if the Redskins continue to struggle. Gruden went all in on Kirk Cousins this year, and that's a bet that hasn't paid off as they're just 3-5 on the season. If Washington decides to go in a different direction next year, here are 10 candidates to replace Gruden:
10) Brian Kelly, Notre Dame head coach
Kelly has been linked with a move to the NFL before, and the Browns have had an eye on him for some time. Notre Dame’s academic issues and rough end to the season have led to increased speculation that Kelly is on his way out…but he’s just two seasons removed from a lucrative contract extension, and we’d be surprised if he leaves the Irish this year with their success. A name to watch, but not a primary target.
9) Teryl Austin, Lions defensive coordinator
Austin has had a relatively short NFL coaching career to this point, but he's been extremely successful. He made them one of the best units in the league last year in his first season on the job while overcoming a multitude of injuries to key players and helping Detroit get back to the playoffs. Before that, he served as the defensive backs coach of Seahawks, Cardinals, and Ravens from 2003-2013 - taking a break to be Florida's defensive coordinator in 2010 - but he doesn't have any prior head coaching experience. Still, he's one of the rising stars in the coaching world and receiving a lot of interest for a few teams last year.
8) Doug Marrone, Jaguars OL/assistant head coach
Marrone had a relatively impressive 15-17 record as head coach of the Bills over the last two seasons, but opted out of his contract after numerous disagreements with the front office. Many teams were impressed with his work in Buffalo and was expected to get another job elsewhere, but found himself on the job market a little too late to land the kind of job he wanted. He'll be a top target for several teams this offseason.
7) Hue Jackson, Bengals offensive coordinator
Jackson guided the Oakland Raiders to a .500 record in 2011 (no small feat, considering how little he had to work with and how bad they've looked since), and it's only a matter of time before he gets another shot at a full head coaching role. Cincinnati's offense has been consistently productive despite a number of injuries and Andy Dalton's struggles, and the Redskins will likely be one of several teams to interview Jackson this spring.
6) David Shaw, Stanford head coach
Shaw is like a painter when it comes to putting together an offense. The Stanford head coach's creative, sometimes off-the-wall approach to putting together an attack could be just what the Redskins need to maximize the weapons they currently have on the roster. Add in the fact that the former NFL assistant's name has been tossed in the hat for several lesser jobs before this (Hello Oakland), and you've got a potential match in DC.
5) Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M head coach
Wouldn't it be great to see Sumlin see if he can get the most out of Robert Griffin III? Sumlin was linked to several NFL jobs last year, and many think his spread offensive system would work well in the NFL. He also is great at developing quarterbacks - something the Redskins desperately need.
4) Darrell Bevell, Seahawks offensive coordinator
Bevell knows how to work with multifaceted (and non-traditional) quarterbacks and also has proven capable of putting together a beyond-capable running game in this league. He was also a candidate for seemingly every opening last year, and Washington's need for an offensive spark could be what does the trick.
3) Adam Gase, Bears offensive coordinator
It was believed to be a virtual lock that Gase will be an NFL head coach in 2015, but opted to follow John Fox to the Bears. Gase was the architect of one of the most dynamic (and productive) offenses in recent NFL history in Denver. He did turn down the Browns two years ago because he felt he wasn't ready to be a head coach - he doesn't feel that way anymore.
2) Josh McDaniels, Patriots offensive coordinator
McDaniels has rebuilt his reputation while leading the Patriots’ offense for the past four seasons after a less-than-successful head coaching debut in Denver. He doesn’t have any connection to the Redskins, but that might be a good thing. He has a strong desire to be an NFL head coach again, and Washington has a developing young roster already assembled that would be very appealing to McDaniels.
1) Sean Payton, Saints head coach
ESPN's Adam Schefter has already reported that several teams will inquire about Saints head coach Sean Payton at the end of the season. It makes sense: The Redskins want to win now and the Saints are about to entering a rebuilding period. Payton would do wonders with Washington's disastrous quarterback situation and could jump at the chance to take another helpless franchise to the promised land.
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