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Robert Griffin III, the former NFL quarterback, has occasionally mentioned his interest in resuming his playing career. Now, he is considering a completely different direction: coaching.
Earlier this week, Griffin stated that he would like to become the next head coach at Baylor University. "Yes, 100 percent," Griffin told Dan Patrick on Monday, according to ESPN. "If Baylor wants to get back to winning and have a university that isn't just respectable on the football field, but the fans can be proud of, they need people who know what it looks like to win at Baylor. So yeah, I would 100 percent be interested."
Griffin is intimately familiar with winning at Baylor. He won the Heisman Trophy there in 2011 and was later selected as the second overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. He went on to earn NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, but a knee injury derailed his career with Washington. By his fourth year, he had been benched in favor of Kirk Cousins. He played for the Cleveland Browns in 2016, was out of football in 2017, and spent his final three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. He last played in 2020.
Baylor fired Dave Aranda on Sunday after he compiled a 40-40 record over six-plus seasons. While several former players have transitioned into college football coaching in recent years, they typically begin at lower-level programs, especially when they lack coaching experience like Griffin. Earlier this week, former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers, who has coached high school football in Alabama since 2021, was mentioned as a potential candidate at NC State, where he played before becoming the fourth overall pick in the 2004 draft. Since his playing career ended, Griffin has worked as a television analyst for ESPN and Fox.
Key Analysis
Griffin's aspiration to lead Baylor's football program is noteworthy given his lack of coaching experience. However, his deep connection to the university and his history of success there could make him an appealing candidate. Baylor's decision to part ways with Aranda signals a desire for change, and Griffin's passion for the school and its winning tradition might align with that vision. Only time will tell if Baylor considers him a viable option.
Originally reported by nbcsports.