NFL Network: Jon Gruden is top target for Louisville job

by Mike Rutherford on Oct 14, 2009 10:05 PM EDT in Football Comment 22 comments

We've all heard it, but now a member of the national media is actually putting his name behind it.

The NFL Network's Michael Lombardi is reporting this evening that should U of L opt to part ways with head football coach Steve Kragthorpe, Jon Gruden is Tom Jurich's No. 1 choice to step in as his replacement.

The University of Louisville has pegged Jon Gruden as its No. 1 candidate should the school decide to fire coach Steve Kragthorpe, sources told NFL Network’s Michael Lombardi.

Gruden went 95-81 in 11 seasons with the Oakland Raiders (1998-2001) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2002-08). He led the Bucs to a Super Bowl XXXVII victory over the Raiders in his first season after leaving Oakland and lasted seven years in Tampa Bay before he was fired.

Gruden has never been a college head coach, but he served as an assistant at Tennessee (1986-87), Southeast Missouri State (1988), Pacific (1989) and Pittsburgh (1991). And his brother, Jay, played quarterback at Louisville from 1985 to 1988.

I'm excited. Sue me, dump cold cater on me, take me out for a nice dinner. Whatever.

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Funny stuff. They got it from the fans. What a source.

by Harmon on Oct 14, 2009 10:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If true...

I won’t need to watch porn. I guess Kenny Klein will have to send a nasty letter to the NFL Network saying Kraggy is the most greatest coach ever.

by Whacker77 on Oct 14, 2009 11:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well done

…

by clayh2525 on Oct 14, 2009 11:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

If only it’s true! Who’s speculation is this?

by RedHotCard on Oct 14, 2009 11:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

sources

by cardscott5 on Oct 15, 2009 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've never doubted that Gruden was a top candidate

I have never believed, and still don’t, that Gruden would accept the position here. He’s a hot commodity and we’re not paying what the NFL pays, or what our friends up in South Bend would pay.

by Dais on Oct 15, 2009 12:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Money is not everything....

by frankpos on Oct 15, 2009 5:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

True

Just remember this. If Notre Dame or an NFL team like the redskins offered him more money than us, he would go. If they offered him significantly less money than us, he would go. I would love it if gruden came here, but it ain’t happening. Big names like Notre Dame will get first dibs, regardless of money, and that’s only if the NFL doesn’t come calling (which they likely will). Just remember that it is US that wants HIM. Not the other way around. I’m not saying he wouldn’t listen to an offer, but I am saying he probably wouldn’t take it very seriously.

Of course, I think an offer to coach UofL football is still a great gig, but just think Gruden would set his sights a little higher. He wouldn’t scoff at an offer, but he wouldn’t take it. It would be hard for him to scoff at any offer after the backhand Oregon gave him when they offered him an offensive coordinator position for this season? Are you kidding me Oregon? You think a Suber Bowl winning coach who will be one of the hottest names in the country is going to be your OC? That’s worthy of spit in the face of their AD.

by npb1985 on Oct 15, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

I really hadn’t believed any of the Gruden rumors until now, but this makes it somewhat legitimate right? I still don’t think we could lure him here, but imagine if we did. Wouldn’t we instantly get a top 10 recruiting class?

by Chris Redman is my hero on Oct 15, 2009 12:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

the sooner everyone accepts that this isn't going to happen

the less disappointed they’ll be when he declines this offer, assuming he doesn’t withdraw his name before an offer is even made.

by doctorofdunk on Oct 15, 2009 1:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

agreed

or the more excited we’ll be if it actually comes to fruition

DocCardsFan
The 'Ville, KY

by DocCardsFan on Oct 15, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tuberville is realistic

That is what fans should speculate about. And even he by no means is a lock. But he is far more realistic than Gruden. I agree with the PFT article. Why don’t we go ahead and add Billick and Cowher to the list while we’re at it?

Guys who are realistic: Tuberville, Fulmer, Chris Petersen, Charlie Strong

Guys who are VERY realistic, but are not at the top of the list: Any young up and coming coordinator at a big time school: take your pick

Don’t get your hopes up: Jon Gruden

by npb1985 on Oct 15, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hope

that is all I needed just a little

UL Football Fan/UK Basketball Fan ~ Okinawa, Japan

by The White Mandingo on Oct 15, 2009 2:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

IF IT HAPPENS THE CONFERENCE WILL KNOW WE’RE SERIOUS ABOUT RE-ESTABLISHING OURSELVES AS A DOMINANT FACTOR IN FOOTBALL.

by RedHotCard on Oct 15, 2009 3:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And.....What size dress do you wear, Mike.....

by frankpos on Oct 15, 2009 8:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I bet his source was Bozich

Rick never ceases to amaze me. Wonder what kind of recycled material he’ll come out with next.

by centrecard on Oct 15, 2009 8:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Look...even if we don't get Gruden...big deal.

It gives U of L national publicity…proves we hunt big game…

and there are luckily MANY other excellent candidates out there this yr.

Christmas comes early this yr….

by frankpos on Oct 15, 2009 8:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

publicity angle is interesting

“Wow, Jon Gruden’s thinking about taking that job?” I dunno, maybe it’ll salvage L’ville’s rep as a rising program…instead of the national perception that we’re a perennial basketball school that just happened to hit the lottery with Bush and Brohm.

by UL is my hot hot sex on Oct 15, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is a gigantic difference between going after Gruden

and ending up with I dunno, Central Michigan’s coach. My point is that we can say that we are going after Gruden, but if we keep saying we are going after Gruden, and Tubs, and Fulmer and don’t get them, Louisville is viewed as a negotiating tool in them getting better jobs.

by cardscott5 on Oct 16, 2009 3:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs