Gruden attended the University of Louisville, where he was a four-year letterman at Louisville Cardinals football team (1985–1988).[6] He finished his collegiate career with 7,024 passing yards (as of 2013, fourth all-time for the school), completing 572 of 1049 passes for 44 touchdowns. All four stats still rank in the top five in Cardinals history.[7] He also ranks in Louisville's top 10 for yards per completion, passing attempts in a season, and completions in a season. He ranks eighth in career completion percentage, seventh in career passing efficiency, and ninth in average yards per game for the Cardinals. Gruden threw for over 300 yards in a game six times at Louisville. Gruden led the team to an 8–3 record as a senior, their first winning season in 10 years.[8] After his playing career ended, Gruden remained active with the football program at Louisville, gaining his first coaching experience as a student assistant in 1989 and as a graduate assistant in the 1990 and 1991 seasons.[9]
Gruden was signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad after an injury to starter Dan Marino shortly before the 1989 season opener, but was waived several days later.[11]
Gruden began his coaching career as the offensive coordinator for the AFL's Nashville Kats in 1997.[16] In 1998, he became head coach of the Orlando Predators, the main rival of the Storm.[17] With Orlando, he won ArenaBowl titles in 1998 and 2000. He came out of retirement and resumed playing in 2002, this time for the Predators, but retired again and returned to head coaching when his replacement, Fran Papasedero, died after the 2003 season. Gruden has an overall AFL head coaching record of 93–61, including a mark of 11–7 in the playoffs.
In 2009, while the Predators were on hiatus during the bankruptcy reorganization of the AFL, he was selected to be head coach Jim Haslett's offensive coordinator for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League. As part of his contract, he was not permitted to remain head coach of the Predators. Instead, former Orlando quarterback Pat O'Hara, who led the team to its two ArenaBowl titles when Gruden was head coach, was hired in his place.
On February 20, 2010, Gruden was named head coach of the Tuskers following Haslett's departure to join Mike Shanahan's staff with the NFL's Washington Redskins.[22]
Cincinnati Bengals
On February 3, 2011, Gruden was hired as the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals.[15][23] On January 13, 2012, Gruden signed a three-year extension with the Bengals at the position,[24] even after being asked to interview for at least three NFL head coaching jobs (with the Jacksonville Jaguars, St. Louis Rams, and later turning down the Indianapolis Colts).[25]
Gruden's offense helped lead the Bengals to three straight Wild Card playoff appearances, including the AFC North title in 2013.[28][29][30]
Washington Redskins
On January 9, 2014, Gruden was hired as the new head coach of the Washington Redskins, succeeding Mike Shanahan.[31][32] Since Gruden was a highly sought-after coach, Redskins owner Dan Snyder gave him a fully guaranteed, 5-year contract worth $20 million.[33]
In the 2015 season, Gruden led the Redskins to their first playoff appearance since 2012. The Redskins would go on a 4-game winning streak to finish the season, and win the NFC East with a 9–7 record. However, the Redskins lost to the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round 35–18, ending their season.[34] In 2016, the Redskins finished 8–7–1, but missed the playoffs. This marked the first time the Redskins posted back-to-back winning seasons since the 1996 and 1997 seasons.[35]
On March 4, 2017, Jay Gruden signed a two-year contract extension with the team.[36] On October 7, 2019, Gruden was fired after starting the season 0–5, finishing his overall tenure as head coach at 35–49–1.[37]