Jon Gruden's First Stint with the Raiders
Jon Gruden was hired as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders on January 14, 2018, after the team relocated from Oakland. He signed a 10-year contract reportedly worth over $100 million, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in NFL history at the time source. His first season as Raiders head coach began on September 10, 2018, against the Los Angeles Rams.
During his first stint, Gruden led the Raiders to a 26-21-1 record over parts of three seasons. The team finished 4-12 in 2018, improved to 9-7 in 2019, and started the 2020 season at 3-2 before Gruden's departure. His offense consistently ranked in the top half of the league in total yards, with the 2019 unit finishing 10th in the NFL source.
Resignation and Departure from the Raiders
October 2021 Exit
Jon Gruden resigned as Raiders head coach on October 11, 2021, following the publication of offensive emails from his tenure as a broadcaster with ESPN. The emails contained derogatory comments about NFL players, coaches, and league officials. The Raiders announced his immediate departure, and assistant coach Rich Bisceia served as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2021 season source.
The Raiders released a statement confirming Gruden's resignation and stated the team would not pursue any remaining guaranteed compensation beyond what was already paid. Gruden's departure ended his second stint with the organization, which had lasted less than four years from his initial hiring in 2018. The team finished the 2021 season with a 6-11 record under interim coaching.
Jon Gruden's Overall Raiders Record and Legacy
Career Coaching Metrics with the Raiders
Jon Gruden's combined regular-season record with the Raiders stands at 26 wins, 21 losses, and 1 tie across three seasons from 2018 through 2021. In the postseason, he did not reach the playoffs during his tenure, with the Raiders missing the NFL playoffs in all three full seasons he coached. His .551 winning percentage ranks him among the more successful Raiders coaches in the franchise's modern history source.
Gruden's coaching legacy with the Raiders includes the development of several key players, including quarterback Derek Carr, who set franchise records for passing yards and touchdowns during Gruden's tenure. The team also drafted notable contributors such as Henry Ruggs III and Damon Arnette under his leadership. Gruden's offensive schemes emphasized a vertical passing game and aggressive play-calling, which produced multiple 1,000-yard receiving seasons for Raiders wide receivers source.