Top 3 Candidates to Replace Jay Gruden as Washington Redskins Head Coach

It occurred to me that simply stating Jay Gruden should be axed after just one year in charge of the Washington Redskins is a bit of a half-a-job approach to the problem in D.C.

If Gruden is to be one and done, taking his abrasive manner and questionable play-calling with him, then who should replace him? Fortunately, three candidates leap immediately to mind.

As fair warning, the three potential candidates listed here are scoured from the pro coordinator ranks. If you just rolled your eyes, no offence taken, I hardly blame you.

After all, Gruden was plucked from the same pool less than 12 months ago. But there was ample reason to believe he was the wrong hire to begin with.

For one thing, his reputation was cultivated during three seasons as offensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals. That was strange because Gruden's units always lagged behind then-defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's groups, which were the catalyst for Cincy's three-year dip of the toe in the playoff waters.

Second, Gruden became a (reasonably) hot commodity because of his work with young quarterback Andy Dalton. Yet there were legitimate questions about Dalton's supposed progress, not the least of which concerned his dire performances in the postseason.

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There was also the not-so-small matter of Dalton being a classic pocket passer and Gruden's stated preference for such not jelling with the read-option of Robert Griffin III. Not at all surprisingly, that ill-fated marriage has come to a public and bitter end already this season.

Right, that's enough parsing and disclaimers, here's the list:

Vic Fangio, Defensive Coordinator, San Francisco 49ers

Vic Fangio satisfies what should be the chief criteria for this team's next head coach: Defensive expertise. The situation at quarterback, namely whether Griffin has a future or not, is so delicate it requires a coach who can dedicate full attention to the problem.

Only an offensive coordinator can do that. If Griffin is given another chance or a newcomer is added under center for 2015, it's unhealthy for the head coach to dedicate so much time to development at this key position.

That flawed dynamic cost Mike Shanahan his job and has dominated too much of Gruden's brief and stunted tenure.

The better combination is a defensive-minded head coach prepared to leave the running of his offense to a creative and quarterback-friendly play-caller. Think John Fox with the Denver Broncos, who has entrusted his offense to Peyton Manning and coordinator Adam Gase.

As a promising potential head coach, the Redskins will struggle to find one with more defensive experience than Fangio. He's a 3-4 master whose roots in that system go as far back as the vaunted New Orleans Saints "Dome Patrol."

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Fangio has spent a lot of time around current Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers and knows the zone-blitz system inside out. He ran the defense for Capers with the 1996 Carolina Panthers. His unit topped the league in sacks with 60 and was second in points allowed.

The Panthers, who'd only been in existence two years, rode that defense to a spot in the NFC Championship Game.

But if you're concerned that another 3-4, zone-blitz guy sounds a lot like current defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, you needn't be. Fangio has since shown his flexibility, first at Stanford and then running the defense for the San Francisco 49ers.

In San Fran, Fangio's units have been far more simplistic schematically, but every bit as devastating as his Panthers group was nearly two decades ago. The 49ers rarely blitz, instead relying on ferocious four-man fronts and sound coverage structures built on Cover 1 shells and robber techniques.

In Fangio's first three seasons, the Niners ranked second, second and third in points allowed. His defenses were the catalyst for three straight trips to the NFC title game, including one Super Bowl berth.

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However, Fangio's efforts this season may be his most impressive. He began the campaign with his best pass-rusher, Aldon Smith, serving a nine-game suspension. Dynamic inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman was also recovering from a serious leg injury and has yet to play this season.

Fangio's secondary had been completely remade following the departures of cornerbacks Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown, along with safety Donte Whitner. Fangio also lost All-Pro middle linebacker Patrick Willis and nose tackle Glenn Dorsey to lenghty injuries.

Yet despite all of that, Fangio's 2014 vintage still ranks 10th in points, third in yards, fourth against the pass and seventh against the run. The 49ers may be struggling at 7-6, but none of their turmoil is the fault of Fangio's defense.

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It's that turmoil, mostly centred on the future of head coach Jim Harbaugh, that could scupper Washington's chances of landing Fangio. That's according to Ben Volin of The Boston Globe: "The 49ers will look for a mellower coach, and will consider promoting defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. 'They just want someone with less noise,' a league source said."

A more mellow coach is just the ticket in Washington after five years of Shanahan and Gruden's gruff ways, as well as the usual annual dysfunction. This franchise needs some quiet time.

If the Redskins can convince Fangio, who expressed interest in the position last year, per ESPN reporter Adam Schefter, he'd be a great choice.

But Fangio isn't the only NFC West defensive mind this team should target.

Todd Bowles, Defensive Coordinator, Arizona Cardinals

If Todd Bowles doesn't get a head coaching job this offseason, there's something very wrong with the NFL. It shouldn't be possible to overlook the quite brilliant work he's done with the Arizona Cardinals.

Bowles' defenses have spearheaded the two-season revival in the desert. Like Fangio, he's overcome multiple injuries and losses and still managed to field a top-notch unit.

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Bowles entered this season missing the backbone of his hybrid 3-4 scheme. Savvy veteran middle linebacker Karlos Dansby bolted for the big bucks offered by the Cleveland Browns. Meanwhile, fellow ace inside 'backer Daryl Washington began a season-long suspension.

Since then, defensive end Darnell Dockett has been lost for the season, as has premier pass-rusher John Abraham. Tackle Calais Campbell and multipurpose defensive back Tyrann Mathieu have also missed significant time.

But instead of crying the blues about injuries (cue Haslett), Bowles has seamlessly adapted. His defense has given up the third-fewest points in football and is sixth-toughest against the run. The unit is the main reason the Cards top the ferociously tough NFC West at 10-3.

While Fangio has trusted simplicity in the Bay Area, Bowles' mercurial brain is never short of ideas. He is one of the most creative, pressure-based play-callers in the NFL.

Last season, NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell marvelled at both the daring and the sophistication of Bowles D', per Sports Illustrated reporter Doug Farrar:

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This team blitzes more than any team in the NFL, and they blitz more on first down than any team in the NFL, and they're creative with their pressures. They're also very good with disguise.

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Cardinals.com reporters Darren Urban and Kyle Odegard broke down some of Bowles' pressure packages for the team's official YouTube channel earlier this season:

Bowles has been so good he's earned a three-year extension to his deal. But according to ESPN Cardinals reporter Josh Weinfuss, that won't preclude him from pursuing a head coach position this offseason:

There's an obvious Redskins connection here. Bowles played safety in D.C. and won a Super Bowl under the guidance of legendary defensive boss Richie Petitbon.

He's also coached under Bill Parcells with the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins. That's the kind of experience any team should view as invaluable in a first-time head coach.

If Bowles can be tempted to leave the Cardinals, the Redskins should be at the front of the queue ready to make him the largest offer. He'd certainly create the kind of swarming, pressure-based defense this team has failed to field in five seasons of trying.

Imagine what players such as outside linebacker Ryan Kerrigan, middle 'backer Keenan Robinson and tackle Jason Hatcher would do in his system.

With a savvy offensive mind alongside him, Bowles would set a direction for a quick turnaround to match this team's obvious talent.

Darrell Bevell, Offensive Coordinator, Seattle Seahawks

Just for a nod to the offense, and particularly to the idea of Griffin being given another shot, Darrell Bevell should be on the list of potential Gruden replacements. In fact, if Griffin stays in town, Bevell should be near the top of that list.

If you've watched the Carolina Panthers this season, you can be forgiven for thinking that anyone who told you the read-option is just a fad sold you a bill of goods. Even the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs use facets of the system.

The read-option—or zone-read, if you prefer—is indeed alive and well, and defenses still haven't figured it out. Nobody runs it better than Bevell's Seahawks.

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He's framed an entire offense around the zone-read, its run-first principles and inherent deception. In the process, he's made Russell Wilson a star while Griffin has floundered.

Wilson's a star because he's a constant threat to run and he's given the freedom to make big plays on the move. Bevell has schemed multiple ways for getting the NFL's half-size Houdini out of the pocket and into space.

But what underpins it all is a natural reliance on the tough running of Marshawn Lynch. The Seahawks are a pure zone-stretch team. Bevell doesn't deviate from that or make his running backs forgotten figures the way Gruden has this season.

Instead, he calls plays for the top-ranked rushing offense in football. With that framework around him, Wilson's incredible natural athleticism and instinct for the big play are allowed to shine.

What we have here is a play-caller prepared to tailor his system to exactly what his players do best. That certainly would be a breath of fresh air in Washington.

If Bevell took over, there would be little scheme crossover or transition needed. He'd have his running game in place thanks to Alfred Morris and Griffin. The rest of the offense would naturally follow from there. You know, the way it should now.

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Of course, the rather sizeable caveat here is whether or not Griffin gets another chance. Even if he does, could his body stand up to the type of offense Bevell has favored?

Well, if Washington's management plans to find out for sure, there's no better coach to help Griffin finally make the grade.

Bevell interviewed last season, per Mark Maske of The Washington Post. If owner Dan Snyder and general manager Bruce Allen remain committed to Griffin, as Maske's fellow Post writer Jason Reid has suggested, then they must run the rule over Bevell again.

Gruden recently claimed jobs are on the line during the last three games, per NBC reporter Dianna Marie Russini:

Hopefully, Gruden has the self-awareness to include himself in that category. Of his three potential replacements listed here, Bowles and Fangio are the best.

The offense, with a little continuity under center, a free-agent lineman or two and better play-calling, is talented enough to take care of itself. Molding a formidable defense would make this team a quick winner in 2015.

All statistics via NFL.com.