The Gruden dream dies

At least I don't have to wear a dress to Derby.

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden has agreed to a multi-year extension with ESPN to remain an analyst with Monday Night Football.

Gruden was fired by the Buccaneers following the 2008 season and joined ESPN in May. The network added that Gruden's new deal includes analysis during Super Bowl week and the NFL Draft.

"Working with our entire Monday Night Football team is the most fun I have had in years, and I am fired up to make this long-term commitment to ESPN," Gruden said in a statement released by the network. "Monday Night Football is special and I look forward to remaining a part of it and continuing to call these great games."

2 months ago Mike Rutherford 12 comments 0 recs |

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pro football talk

Pro Football Talk is indicating that ESPN will fire Gruden at the end of the season. They aren’t happy with what’s he’s brought to the booth.

The rumor is that this is to calm down other pro teams’ fear of letting Gruden wander their facilities if he’s going to be in the NFL next season.

I say we still have a chance. Less of a chance than we had yesterday, but still a chance.

by enkafan on Nov 16, 2009 1:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I've liked listening to Gruden on Monday night football

I like him better than Madden, or Dennis Miller or Tony Kornheiser, so I find it hard to believe that ESPN would fire him

by Centre24 on Nov 16, 2009 1:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

style

What I’ve heard is that they are happy with him being overly happy about every single thing that he sees – the same reason they got rid of Theisman.

ESPN is refusing to release the details of the contract which is odd. No idea on how much they are paying him, or what the penalties are for him going back to coaching. So I guess it’s just a matter of wait and see.

But I still contend that we aren’t out of the running.

by enkafan on Nov 16, 2009 1:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

???

Where did this rumor come from? Why would ESPN give a raise to an employee it plans to fire? Maybe they are just looking for a government bailout.

by kpmhap on Nov 16, 2009 8:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, poop.

Know it was a long shot, but what a perfect hire this would be for a struggling program such as ours. Young, dynamic guy who’s already won the biggest crown in the game. I guess we’re moving on to Tuberville? For some reason, I can’t get excited about that Auburn connection.

theoldman

by theoldman on Nov 16, 2009 1:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Maybe he is protecting himself.

If he can’t find any HC job that he wants this year, he’s at least got a job for another year. But doing so early before a lot of coaching changes have happened may mean he hasn’t seen anything interesting or got any intriguing offers. I didn’t have a lot of hope for him to come here anyways, and now I think we have no chance.

by CardinalDude on Nov 16, 2009 2:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I just want them to get the right person in here

Don’t jump to the hot name because you need someone right now (see Gillispie, B.C. et al). Make sure this is the guy you want for a decade +.

Wouldn’t you just love to see Kornheiser as a head football coach. Couldn’t be much worse could it? Have some cameos by Jimmy Johnson and you’ve got yourself a hit new sitcom.

DocCardsFan
The 'Ville, KY

by DocCardsFan on Nov 16, 2009 2:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

It was a pipe dream anyway

While it was fun to read about all the testimonials from folks with “really really really good sources” who claimed Gruden coming to the Ville was a done deal, I don’t think many of us actually took any of it seriously.

I just hope whoever gets the job is the real deal this time.

________________________________________________
~LK
www.myspace.com/lordkayoss
www.youtube.com/lordkayossrippro
www.welcometomynightmare.tk

by LORD KAYOSS on Nov 16, 2009 2:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs