He was close to some players. Thats about the best I can say. There were some that are upset he left, and understandably so. The coach will always be a big influence in a player's life. Having said that... I've heard him referred to as the "biggest ******* I've ever met". Players hated him, coaches hated him. Most people he dealt with on a professional level thought he was an *******.
CORAL GABLES — Former NFL coach Jon Gruden becoming the next coach of the Miami Hurricanes "definitely still is in play," a UM source with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday. According to the source, discussions have continued between the two sides even though Gruden released a statement through ESPN Sunday night that, "I am committed to 'Monday Night Football' and to ESPN." Gruden, 47, won a Super Bowl as coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before he was fired in 2008 and became a TV analyst. He previously coached the Oakland Raiders. According to the source, Gruden and Miami have yet to agree upon the length of a contract and there's concern on UM's part about Gruden, who has limited college experience, jumping to the NFL. Money doesn't appear to be an issue in negotiations, the source said. Gruden initiated contact with UM a few weeks before athletic director Kirby Hocutt fired Randy Shannon on Saturday night. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/...miami-hurricanes-coach-113010,0,1393364.story
As liars go, the difference between Saban and Gruden is the difference between a convict and a suspect.
Assuming that everything goes through I wonder how long he plans to stay, He really basically could have had a pick of NFL jobs(interviews at the very least) and I've seen a few reports saying he initiated contact. It would sound like he really wants a college job instead of an NFL one atm.
I'm not sure if he could have had his choice of jobs. Teams seem more inclined to go with up and comers rather than retreads with the recent success of guys like Tomlin, Mike Smith, etc. Gruden does have a Super Bowl ring though so his name certainly would be in the mix for some of these jobs. I still say he's actually better suited for the college game though.
There aren’t many job opportunities in the NFL right now. Teams are inclined to promote from within or retain current coaches because of the high likelihood of a lockout. Why pay a new coach millions and still be on the hook for the old coach’s contract without any football games to justify the new coach’s hiring? By the way, another reason Omar Kelly’s opinion on anything can be disregarded: he thinks the Carolina Panthers would have hired Gruden because John Fox’s contract is expiring this year. Fox’s contract is expiring this year because Jerry Richardson, the Panthers’ owner, thinks there’s going to be a lockout and so he doesn’t want to be on the hook for any more money than he needs to be. Kelly changed his tune earlier today, but he used that line of reasoning to basically disparage and deny the Gruden to UM reports.
From Dave Mahler, a Seattle radio show host. Not sure why the hell this guy would have this news, but he’s apparently credible enough for ACCSports to retweet:
You need to read less Mike Ryan. (See what I did there?) I don’t think Gruden would pull a Parcells and pack up sooner rather than later. Hiring his brother to be the OC isn’t much different from Shanahan hiring his son to be his OC in Washington. Does anyone think Mike Shanahan is leaving in 2012 so that Kyle Shanahan can become the head coach? Of course not.
Quote possibly my favorite thing on the net tonight. All of one word (the last one). With a ****-eating grin on his face.
As much as I want Gruden for the sake of the Hurricanes I think making Peter King look like an idiot would make me even happier.
The money has never been an issue, its always been about the number of years. This is something that has been discussed since the UVA game.
FWIW: Jay Gruden was the coach of the Arena League Orlando Predators twice. He was known as the Don Coryell of the AFL. His record as a coach was 93 - 61. His players loved him.
I don't think the situations are similar at all, Gruden is going to coach in college where is Shanahan going to go to move up? Gruden might very well leave sooner than later for a premiere NFL job leaving a successor in Miami, not saying its the reason behind any of the moves but its a lot more likely than Shanahan moving on to give his son a job. Who knows maybe Shanahan wants to coach 3 or 4 more years and give the reigns to his son doesn't seem crazy to me.
Home Shopping Nework is breaking this?!?! Wow! Suzanne Sommers: "Hold the thighmasters! This just in, Gruden to Miami!" Yeah that was bad but it's exactly what I thought of when I saw "HSN will continue to follow this breaking news" Meh.... It's late and I'm quirky. How cool will this be if it's actually happening. How many times do people have to watch a coach deny he's going to coach somewhere and then watch him actually go there before they stop listening to anything leading up to a team filling a coaching vacancy as well? Regardless, Gruden to Miami instantly revives the buzz and expectations for this program.
When have Mike & Mike ever broken news? That said, HSN was clearly preemptive with its news, or was reporting what was floating around Twitter last night. Hocutt is meeting with Gruden today in Tampa, so I don’t know how Gruden could have signed a deal prior to that meeting.
One thing I'm noticing people not bring up when they talk about Gruden and the college game is his friendship with Chip Kelly. He's spent alot of time talking to him, watching and learning the spread and he even said he really thought about spending a year coaching with the ducks. While it doesn't mean he'd take the job or that he'd be good at it I'm kinda surprised that's skipped over.
I am having breakfast in 30 minutes with somebody that would know ALOT about this situation..... but I will commit right now....they sign Gruden...I buy season tickets.
