It’s been hard to mention the Tennessee football head coaching position during the last eight years without a reference, whether joking or serious, to former NFL coach Jon Gruden.

Vols fans long have been fascinated with the idea that the Super Bowl-winning coach and Monday Night Football analyst would yearn for a return to Rocky Top, where he began his coaching career as a graduate assistant back in 1986.

So, while Butch Jones is still firmly entrenched as the Vols head coach and Gruden appears to be as happy as can be working in the television booth, Wednesday offered a bit of a “dream becoming a reality moment” for Tennessee fans.

Jones invited Gruden to speak to his players in advance of their meeting with Northwestern in the Outback Bowl:

Careful, Butch.

Don’t let Gruden get too comfortable addressing the boys.