People need to stop with the ridiculous rumors of Jon Gruden making a return to coaching.
The internet has been on fire the past couple days with the theory that the current ESPN star is headed down to Knoxville to be the next coach of the Tennessee Volunteers. One Reddit chain has been sharing details of the alleged deal nonstop.
It’s GRUMOR season on Rocky Top again! Jon Gruden now rumored to be bringing Jim Bob Cooter with him. https://t.co/g5mSTNHGrq
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 17, 2017
People, there is no chance Gruden is leaving his awesome job at ESPN to take a mid-level job in the SEC. No chance at all. The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach was ESPN’s highest paid personality of two years ago, with a salary of $6.5 million. You can guarantee that number has only since gone up.
I’ve had a theory for a long time about why Gruden’s name is always thrown around every year for coaching jobs, and it’s a very simple one. He likes stoking the flames because it gives ESPN just enough pause to consider the reality of him leaving.
He cracks out a new contract extension every year, and pockets a nice pay raise. The whole time he never had any intention of leaving ESPN. It’s a smart plan. I don’t blame him, but I do blame fans that consistently fall for this.
I’m a huge Gruden guy, I would love to see him coach again but it’s absolutely not happening.