Breaking all over the place (including Schefter). Gruden signs on to remain on Monday Night Football. That's a big fish off Ross' list. May merge into existing head coaching thread depending on where the thread leads.
That's disappointing. Not because I wanted to see him in Miami (which I am OK with), but because I wanted to see him in college.
hmmmmm...still think he could be bought out no?? he maybe just playing both sides of the street on this one right? leverage is king in negotiations.
Of course he could still coach if he wants to. A non-compete would certainly not apply to coaching an NFL team. But it seems like 2012 is definitely out of the mix. Ironic to me is the timing of the announcement. We're obviously the biggest players out there for Gruden (as far as rumors have gone and such). And he's calling our game tonight. Similarly, ESPN has had some trouble in the past with coaches being hesitant to talk with a potential adversary or replacement (Gruden). Usually these extensions are thought to quell that uneasiness somewhat. I wonder if he'll become more critical in his on-camera analysis. He's great on TV though.
The only thing that tells me is that if Ross decides to start negotiating a contract with him that Gruden will use his ESPN contract as an asset to get more money out of Ross. Funny how right after word leaks that Ross wants a "star" HC notebly Gruden, that he signs a long term contract with ESPN. Ross "well this is what we would like to offer you Jon" Gruden "eh, i already have this sweet long term deal to make all this money with ESPN just to watch and talk about games. you are gonna need to up that offer"
It doesn't surprise me. Gruden genuinely seems to enjoy his work at ESPN. I really don't think he'll go back to the sidelines; he's having way too much fun.
I'd say more then likely, as muck stated, this kills any possibility gruden will be coaching in 2012.
Could this also be leverage? He can now be pretty picky if a team won't give him what he wants, from a control standpoint. Not sure this means Ross crosses him off the list.
I don't think this does that at all. If he wants to come back it'll be on his terms so this way he doesn't have to jump into anything, if he doesn't like the offers or teams coming his way he'd be fine staying behind and he's got a basis for a starting point on a new deal. If he wants to coach and a team wants him this wont' even be a bump in the road.
Bullet dodged. Gruden may or may not have changed, but I didn't want to be the guinea pig franchise that had to find out. Time to start talking about coordinators and college HCs.
Honest question: Why does it kill the chance in 2012? I read what Muck said, and I still don't understand why it makes 2012 more unlikely than any other year. Honestly though, if Gruden is enjoying being such a personality on ESPN, his heart isn't in coaching.
Given recent reports, I think we can safely assume that Ross is going to make a major pitch to Bill Cowher.
I dont see why. ESPN offered him a fat contract for 5 years. Why wouldnt he sign it as insurance no matter what his desires were for next year? The end on the season is months away. He hasnt heard any offers to coach any teams that we know of. He might be completely undecided whether he wants to return and wants to see if any offers from an NFL blow him away. If they do he is free to sign with that team, if not he has his ESPN contract sewn already up. Sounds pretty smart to me
I can't see him signing a contract extension if he's not prepared to stay at ESPN. Even if he is using it as leverage, he is basically saying "give me exactly what I want or I stay". Which means he is prepared to very much prepared to stay at ESPN and play hardball with teams. I also can't see him just doing it for leverage at ESPN as it hurts his relationship with ESPN. Could you imagine he negotiates a contract extension and then leaves a couple of months later?
Not sure why he'd want to come to a rebuilding team like ours. The guys won a Superbowl, made a ton of money, and is now sitting in a booth working 3 hours a week still making a ton of money and spending the rest with his family. No clue why he would come back to coach unless it was a big time team like Pittsburgh or the Giants.
From what I am hearing on some places, The contract has a firm clause that once he STARTS his contract in 2012, he must finish out the 5 years. Giving him room to find a coaching job this offseason if he wishes..........interesting.
Yes, easily. Its the way of the industry frankly. ESPN knows what it gets with these big name EX-NFL's/COACHES/GMs/etc...they know the bed they lay in. It wouldnt shock me at all, nor the industry, for this extension from ESPN to potentially secure Gruden to them vs say NFL Network; but doesnt mean he wouldnt leave the minute a HC position (or any other position within an org) makes him more excited.
I mean...personally....I dont see this precluding him from coaching here. I think its smart on both ESPN's part and Grudens part....the Phins arent gonna do anything till Jan....and ....this way he has a future laid out if he doesnt come back to coaching football.
I'd be STUNNED if this didn't contain some coaching get out clause. Hey Jon, wanna come and coach in Miami, look after Andrew Luck? Er no thanks, I'm gonna eat donuts with Tirico.
WEll if the Phins were going to give him personnel control as well, I'd be just as happy passing on him. Though I think he is an above average coach and I love his work on ESPN, I am not a fan of his personnel decisions in Tampa. Not very good at all IMHO.
Precedent doesnt make this an EVIL - or ruin a reputation - thing however, its almost expected more than its anticipated one would forever stay in the booth (ala Madden), regardless of length of extension. Its a matter of when, not if! And immediately is almost better than say 3 or 4yrs from now. If I am Gruden, this escalates his chance of having a desperate NFL owner strike quickly to give him easy out...vs....waiting or letting time go by and he becomes a much more FORMER HC, etc.
If you are Ross, doesnt this make you pick up the phone faster and say, hold on Jon...lets work this out right now.
"THIS Donut. Lemme tell ya about this Glazed doughy goodness Jaws. Sweet exterior, succulent interior; It's just got everything you want in a pastry." Jaws: "I totally agree Jon."
I do not think this will preclude him from taking this job. Jon is going to be a hot commodity this offseason. I'm looking for Miami and potentially Philadelphia to be looking hard at him. I still think he will be coaching in Miami.
Why is coaching in the nfl take precedence? It doesn't. And yes he is helping his chances so to speak to go to the nfl and get exactly what he wants, if he finds a team willing to do it. So he lowers his chances of a team that is not willing to give him say full control, to come speak to him, as well as ESPN finding a replacement so that when he wants to come back, they now have the upper hand. The smart thing to do would be to stay at least a year with ESPN, since yes he negotiated the deal rather ESPN approached him first or not, and come back to the nfl in a year if need be.
Pretty much. Regardless of whether or not he intends to coach in the near future, it absolutely gives him leverage. He's making head coach money having fun on TV. As long as he has that gig, he can setup whatever sort of checklist he wants to be wooed for a head coaching gig. If nobody offers it up or he's not feeling it, no biggie. He's making big money and having a blast while also having an actual family life. Plus he still gets his coaching kicks helping out on his son's high school team.
Still think Gruden will be Miami`s next coach. Now he has a back up plan ,smart move on his part. He saw how Sparano was a sitting duck last year and got jerked around so he`s playing his cards right.
Heck, the guy still gets up and starts watching film at 4AM every morning. I doubt he does that if he only sees himself doing analysis. IMO, I think there is a clear desire for him to get back into coaching. Look at how muh fun he has when he is coaching up the guys he does the QB camps for.
Obviously you risk possibly burning a bridge of some sort. But really, I'm doubting those terms have any power whatsoever of preventing him from coaching. Because technically this is a different industry than coaching. There are no trade secrets, etc. that would harm ESPN by him returning to the NFL to lead a team. A non-compete wouldn't hold up. Now if that deal gives ESPN his TV rights (versus NFL Network, as was pointed out above) and/or allows them to not pay him, etc., that's totally plausible. But if he wants to coach, they can't stop him. That is really interesting though (the 2012 part), which leads me to believe he's not seeing any new money until that date.
I am only saying for ex-HC, ex-GMs the precedence is to temporarily do the Booth or Network gig. They are not scorned if they return quickly regardless of contract. Granted former players love the life of booth/network gig. Exactly...that's how I see this. Huge leverage! It forces an NFL franchise especially one with a desperate owners hand quickly. Gruden doesnt care about those NFL teams anyway. And ESPN wins with this 5yr since they wont lose him to a competitor. They dont have to concern themselves with a replacement if he never finds the right NFL team. Again, dont see why this is smart or not...he is in control, he has his outs. Its totally win/win from Gruden's standpoint. ESPN has win/win from their perspective as well. Its why the deal was reached...but it doesnt lock him into not immediately returning to NFL on his terms.