Jon Gruden is always maybe coming back to coach. The ESPN broadcaster doesn’t talk about if often, but the rumors have swirled for years that he’s waiting for the right gig to leave television and return to the sideline.
While many assume an NFL job is what he’s waiting for, Gruden also has ties to one college team that just so happens to have an opening. And, according to Gruden himself now, he wouldn’t say no right away if the University of Tennessee came calling.
Gruden hasn’t coached in nearly a decade now, but he’s remained close to the game. And with Tennessee firing Butch Jones, they’ll be looking to make a splash in the SEC. And according to the former Tampa Bay Buccanneers head coach, you should never say never.
Gruden spoke to Mike & Mike on Wednesday and was asked about a return to coaching, and the Super Bowl winning coach didn’t say he’s off the market.
We couldn’t have one last visit with Jon Gruden without addressing the latest “returning to coaching rumors.” #Vols pic.twitter.com/arlp9Its7a
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) November 15, 2017
“I haven’t talked to anybody. All I really have in my life is my family and football, that’s about it. I’m real sensitive to the coaches that are out there coaching, so I don’t speculate. I just love football, I’m trying to hang onto the job I have. I’m very fortunate to be with the people I’m with. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, I just know this: I’m going to continue to give my best effort to the game, stay prepared. I love Monday Night Football, don’t plan on leaving, but as you know in life, you never say never to nothing.”
Gruden, of course, got his start at Tennessee as an assistant in the 1980s. It’s a location taht makes sense for him geographically, but whether he can recruit and be successful as a college coach is another story. By Gruden’s logic, though, there’s only one way to find out.
