Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden has long been rumored as a candidate for the Tennessee head coaching job, given his connections to the Vols and his impressive coaching resume, which includes winning a Super Bowl. Gruden recently revealed on Barstool Sports’ Pardon My Take that he had been close to taking the Tennessee job at one point, citing his love for the school and its ties to his wife, who cheered there.
Gruden did not specify which year he nearly took the Tennessee job but mentioned that he was working on Monday Night Football with Mike Tirico at the time. Despite his interest, Gruden ultimately decided to stay with ESPN and Monday Night Football due to the fun he was having in that role.
Barstool Sports recently announced the hiring of Gruden under a multi-year deal. Gruden had most recently served as a consultant for the New Orleans Saints in 2023. His coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Tennessee in 1986 before moving on to the NFL, where he experienced success as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning a Super Bowl with the latter team.
After a media career at ESPN, Gruden returned to coaching with the Raiders but faced controversy and was ultimately removed from the Tampa Bay Ring of Honor due to offensive emails that surfaced. Despite these challenges, Gruden’s coaching record stands at 117-112 in NFL games, with a Super Bowl win and five division titles. His return to coaching on a long-term basis with Barstool Sports marks a new chapter in his storied career.
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