NFL legend Peyton Manning has influenced many to follow his trail over the last three decades. That list includes former Raiders HC Jon Gruden, who recently spoke about nearly taking a coaching job in Tennessee. One of the big reasons he mentioned was Manning, Kenny Chesney, and his wife Cindy, who cheered while attending Tennessee.
Jon Gruden Discusses Almost Taking Tennessee HC Job
On a Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, episode of the “Pardon My Take” podcast, the 61-year-old mentioned that he was very close to taking up the head coaching job at the university.
“My wife cheered at Tennessee. I love Tennessee. I was a graduate coach there,” Gruden said.
“I did talk to the athletic director, and I don’t look up to anybody more than I look up to Peyton Manning and Kenny Chesney. Those are two of my favorite Tennessee guys. And I was very interested in doing it. … I almost did consider pulling the trigger there,” he said.
Jon Gruden reveals how close he came to taking the Tennessee coaching job:
“My wife cheered at Tennessee. I love Tennessee. I was a graduate coach there, and I did talk to the Athletic Director, and I don’t look up to anybody more than I look up to Peyton Manning and Kenny… pic.twitter.com/v6uB6QzksJ
— On3 (@On3sports) November 15, 2024
Gruden worked as a graduate assistant coach at the university back in 1986 before heading to the NFL in 1990 as Niners OC.
Gruden Explains His Monday Night Football Stint
The former Super Bowl-winning coach had a brief stint as an announcer for Monday Night Football from 2011 to 2014. He shared some quality time with sportscaster Mike Tirico during this tenure.
“At that time I was having so much fun on Monday Night Football with Mike Tirico I couldn’t take any other job,” Gruden said.
“To be in the thought process is always exciting and, hell, Tennessee was one that is really close to my heart. I almost did consider pulling the trigger there,” he confessed while explaining about his time at MNF.
Welcome to Barstool Sports, Jon Gruden @Barstool_Gruden pic.twitter.com/d7tUimhbLo
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 14, 2024
On Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, Gruden signed a new deal with Barstool Sports. His role at the organization is not yet known, but an announcement clip was dropped on the company website. He was seen breaking down a play for its employees. It will be a new beginning for the coach, who is also engaged in his role as an advisor for the Milano Seamen of the European League of Football.