ProFootballTalk.com reported Jon Gruden has not made a Sabanesque statement denying interest in the Tennessee coaching job. According to PFT Gruden said:

“I’ve said it from the beginning, this is the only job I’ve really ever wanted. As long as the Glazers will have me, I’ll be here. I have a lot of respect for Tennessee. I grew up down there a little bit, my wife is from there, but this is where I want to be. I can only make myself that clear.

“I don’t want to even start that. I’ve wanted to be in the NFL my whole life. This is something I’m really excited to do, and this is where I want to be. I’ll leave it at that.”

PFT believes this leaves Gruden wiggle room for the Volunteers to pursue Gruden at the end of the Bucs’ season.

However, I believe the statement might reveal Gruden’s thinking. His relationship with the Glazers is strong—the owners have supported Gruden through some tough seasons. If he really does love the NFL, he has the best job he could ever hope to have—one where he and the owners are on the same page. How often does that happen? If he were to leave he would replace that relationship with something unknown, a relationship with a president, athletic director and boosters.

It will be interesting to watch Gruden to see if he delivers a more definitive statement; however, what he has said so far seems very informative.

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5 thoughts on “UT Coaching search update: Gruden”

  1. As much as some people will want him to “be honest” and make a public statement that he is interested in the job, that won’t happen. If Gruden is to be the Vol coach, we won’t know until this season is over.

    If Tennessee hasn’t hired a coach by the end of the NCAA season then I would bet that Gruden is coming to Knoxville. They are actively pursuing a new coach as we speak. Otherwise they would have waited until the end of the season to fire Fulmer.

  2. UT is not interested in Gruden.
    They are more interested in a certain Arkansas country boy with a school boy charm and the ability to use his hands and make clever gestures.

  3. Tennessee doesn’t want you Coach. Maybe you can go back and be a defensive coordinator for Arkansas State.

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