Gruden began his coaching career as the offensive coordinator for the*Nashville Kats*in 1997. Then, in 1998, he became head coach of the*Orlando Predators, the main rival of the Tampa Bay Storm. He won*ArenaBowl*titles in 1998 and 2000 as head coach.
He un-retired 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 career record of 93–61, including a record of 11–7 in the playoffs.
From 2002 to 2008 he also served as an offensive assistant for the*Tampa Bay Buccaneers*in the*National Football League*under his brother, head coach Jon Gruden. He left after Jon was fired following the 2008 season.
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 Preds quarterback*Pat O'Hara, who led the team to the two ArenaBowls it won 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*Washington Redskins.
[6]On February 3, 2011, Gruden was hired as the offensive coordinator for the*Cincinnati Bengals.
[7][8]On January 13, 2012, Gruden signed a three-year extension with the Cincinnati Bengals as their offensive coordinator,[9]*even after being asked to interview for at least three head coaching jobs (TheJacksonville Jaguars,*St. Louis Rams, and later turned down the*Indianapolis Colts, signing his extension shortly afterwards.)
[10]In January 2013, Gruden was interviewed by the*Arizona Cardinals, the*Philadelphia Eagles*and the*San Diego Chargers*for their vacant head coaching positions.[11][12]
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