Jay Gruden on Detroit Lions head coaching wish list

Dec 9, 2012; Green Bay, WI, USA; Detroit Lions helmets sit on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The Packers won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

Judging by reports leaking on a near daily basis, the Detroit Lions are going all in on San Diego Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt as their next head coach. Of course, with San Diego currently partaking in the NFL playoffs, the Lions have yet to schedule an interview with Whisenhunt.

It’s expected the team will continue to wait until they can meet with the former Arizona Cardinals head coach, but in case things don’t go as planned with Whisenhunt, it appears Detroit may have a fallback plan in Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator, Jay Gruden.

"Detroit’s coaching wish list also includes Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, sources told ESPN. The Bengals host Whisenhunt and the Chargers on Sunday in the AFC wild-card round."

The job appears to be Whisenhunt’s to lose, but just in case, it looks like Gruden may be near the top of their list if for some reason the Lions and Whisenhunt can’t finalize a deal.

Gruden has no head coaching experience at the NFL level.

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