Jon Gruden spent some time with the Georgia football program recently. He toured the facilities, talked to staffers, watched training camp, and then spoke to the team.
Emersed in college football excellence, Gruden felt a sense of longing.
When he was addressing the Georgia team, Gruden revealed why he had made the trip to Athens.
“The only reason I really came here is I want to coach again,” Gruden said to the room. “I’m being honest with you. I do not bull**** either. I want to coach again. I’d die to coach in the SEC. I would love it. I would f***ing love it.”
Folks, a decade later, the Grumors might be back.
Gruden, 61, hasn’t held a coaching position in either the NFL or college since 2021. He was a consultant with the New Orleans Saints in 2023 but joined the media side of things last year when he signed on with Barstool Sports.
He worked for ESPN from 2009-17 in the NFL broadcast booth and, in 2017, almost took the Tennessee head coaching job. Last year, Gruden said he didn’t want to leave his spot on Monday Night Football. Perhaps now there is a little regret over that decision?
Who’s to say? But Gruden might have an opportunity to throw his hat in the ring this upcoming winter if he wants to. Several SEC programs are entering the 2025 campaign with their respective coaches sitting on varying degrees of hot seats.
Sam Pittman at Arkansas is entering an important season in his tenure. Hugh Freeze needs to get Auburn into a bowl game to save his job. Mark Stoops is looking to turn Kentucky around after a 4-8 season. Brent Venables also finds himself in a “win or else” situation at Oklahoma.
No SEC jobs changed hands this past offseason. That could make for a busy silly season later this year.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
