Recently, Jon Gruden has publicly declared his desire to be a head coach in the SEC. However, ESPN’s Pete Thamel believes the Super Bowl champion coach might have to work his way up the ladder first.
During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Thamel poured some cold water on speculation that Gruden might land an SEC gig in the near future. Instead, Thamel thinks Gruden would have to accept a job in a less glamorous conference initially.
“There’s 136 of these Division I FBS jobs. It’s a Star Wars bar. You go from Miami to Seattle to Phoenix to Chestnut Hill,” Thamel said. “There’s a lot in between. Marshalls and Western Kentuckys and Arkansas States. I think Jon Gruden could land somewhere amid that. I would not project him to go to the SEC…I think there’s just better college coaches available than Jon Gruden.”
Thamel added that the “ongoing litigation” regarding Gruden’s lawsuit with the NFL could “add some complexities” for SEC athletic directors.
Gruden launched his SEC campaign during a recent visit to Georgia’s campus when he addressed the Bulldogs.
“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.”
Gruden has no college experience but his decorated time in the NFL might eventually carry enough weight. It just might take a bit of time, if Thamel turns out to be correct.
