NFL NEWS

Redskins fire Gruden after 0-5 start

Field Level Media

October 07, 2019 at 12:48 pm.

The Washington Redskins fired head coach Jay Gruden early Monday following the team’s 0-5 start.

The Redskins made the announcement via Twitter, saying Gruden had been informed of the decision in an early morning meeting with owner Daniel Snyder and team president Bruce Allen.

ESPN reported Redskins assistant head coach/offensive line coach Bill Callahan will be the interim head coach.

The team scheduled a 1 p.m. ET press conference for Monday.

“Through the first five games of the 2019 season, the team has clearly not performed up to expectations, and we all share in that responsibility,” the team said in its release. “Moving forward we are committed to doing all that we can collectively as an organization to turn things around and give our Redskins fans and alumni a team they can be proud of in 2019 and beyond.”

Gruden was in his sixth season with the Redskins, compiling a 35-49-1 record that included Sunday’s 33-7 home loss to the New England Patriots. Entering this season, he had won at least seven games in four straight years, including a 9-7 mark in 2015 that saw Washington reach the playoffs.

When asked by reporters about his job status after Sunday’s loss, Gruden said: “Nobody’s told me anything. I don’t have a concern. I’ll just wait and see. If my key works on Monday, keep working, go attack the Miami Dolphins and plan on getting our first win next week.”

Gruden signed a two-year contract extension in March of 2017, putting him under contract through the 2020 season. He lasted longer than any of Snyder’s six previous head coaches, with none staying longer than four years.

The Redskins drafted quarterback Dwayne Haskins No. 15 overall in April and are expected to have a high pick in the 2020 NFL draft. They also have seven defensive starters who are 25 or younger.