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Gruden to Tennessee?
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 10:45 pm
by Skjellyfetti
Rumors around Knoxville have speculated about this hire for a couple of months now.
Tennessee HAS to have a "slam dunk" hire to remain relevant. This is akin to Alabama following the Dubose-Franchione-Price-Shula saga. Alabama could not take a chance on any coach and found their "sure thing" and threw cash and incentives at him until he agreed.
Gruden is Tennessee's Saban.
Tennessee has offered Gruden a salary he will accept (rumored to be 6 years @ $36m). The hang up is the staff Gruden wants to assemble (and he has been in contact with potential staff members).
Rumored staff:
HC- Jon Gruden
DC- Raheem Morris
OC- Jay Gruden
RB- Jay Graham
WR- Tee Martin
OL- Juan Castillo
DL- Marion Hobby
Special Teams- Rich Bisaccia
The decision about the new University of Tennessee football coach is in the hands of the man most Volunteers fans seem to want.
The Chattanooga Times Free Press has learned from sources close to the process that Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden has been extended an offer to succeed Derek Dooley.
Sources confirmed that while details are still being negotiated, the university's offer is very lucrative and there is no firm deadline on a decision.
Gruden's decision likely will hinge on the money the school is willing to pay for his potential staff, the sources say.
"Right now, the money is there for him [Gruden], but they aren't as close as he would like for his assistants," one source said. "It could happen as soon as this weekend or go into next week, but he's pretty firm where he is and has already spoken with the guys he wants to be on the staff with him."
According to a different source, "He's told them they aren't close enough on money for the staff. He's very interested, but if they don't come up with what they need for the assistants, he's told them he's out."
Rumors began to surface late Wednesday afternoon that talks had broken down and that Gruden was no longer a candidate for the job. However, according to Times Free Press sources, that is not the case. As of Thursday evening, Gruden had weighed an offer but countered that more money would be needed for the staff he is assembling.
In the meantime, university officials are continuing to consider other candidates. However, the job is Gruden's if he decides to say yes.
UT officially began its search for a new coach after Dooley was fired Nov. 18 after three unsuccessful seasons.
The Vols finished with a losing record in all three of Dooley's seasons and a 15-21 overall record during his tenure, including 4-19 in Southeastern Conference games.
http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012 ... den-mulls/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The staff hang-up should be resolvable. Dave Hart said from the beginning that finances would not be an issue in this hire. The Haslams and other Tennessee boosters (including Peyton Manning) have contributed a great deal of money to make sure Tennessee gets their man. That man is Gruden.
Re: Gruden to Tennessee?
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 10:52 pm
by SuperHornet
Re: Gruden to Tennessee?
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 11:06 pm
by dal4018
I think "Chucky" is going to stay in the booth IMHO.
Re: Gruden to Tennessee?
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 11:13 pm
by Skjellyfetti
Helps if you include key words like "Gruden" in the title so when I skim a forum to see if there's a thread on it already... I notice it.
Re: Gruden to Tennessee?
Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2012 11:14 pm
by Skjellyfetti
Skjellyfetti wrote:
Helps if you include key words like "Gruden" in the title so when I skim a forum to see if there's a thread on it already... I notice it.
He'll be coaching somewhere next year. Until tonight I was pretty convinced it would be in the NFL (Browns, likely). I think Tennessee has a great shot now if the above report from the TFP is accurate.
Re: Gruden to Tennessee?
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 7:26 am
by bluehenbillk
Tennessee fans must be delusional. UT wouldn't be in Gruden's top 5 choices, I'm sorry.
Maybe they should suck it up & bring Fulmer back, they were actually half-decent under him......
Re: Gruden to Tennessee?
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 8:47 am
by Franks Tanks
Skjellyfetti wrote:Skjellyfetti wrote:
Helps if you include key words like "Gruden" in the title so when I skim a forum to see if there's a thread on it already... I notice it.
He'll be coaching somewhere next year. Until tonight I was pretty convinced it would be in the NFL (Browns, likely). I think Tennessee has a great shot now if the above report from the TFP is accurate.
He's already turned down plenty of gigs. He isn't going to UT, and I be surpised if he ever coaches again. He has one of the best jobs in American right now and makes tons of $.
Re: Gruden to Tennessee?
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 9:07 am
by dal4018
bluehenbillk wrote:Tennessee fans must be delusional. UT wouldn't be in Gruden's top 5 choices, I'm sorry.
Maybe they should suck it up & bring Fulmer back, they were actually half-decent under him......
Too bad that David Cutcliffe isn't available he had a pass happy mentality as opposed to Fullmer and his three yds and a cloud of dust style of coaching.
Re: Gruden to Tennessee?
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 10:11 am
by Skjellyfetti
bluehenbillk wrote:Tennessee fans must be delusional. UT wouldn't be in Gruden's top 5 choices, I'm sorry.
Are you saying Tennessee wouldn't be in his top 5 college choices or top 5 choices overall? I agree that Tennessee probably wouldn't be among his top choices overall. But, it is certainly top... if not THE top college job to HIM.
He got his coaching start at Tennessee under Johnny Majors. He met his wife at Tennessee. His wife was the head cheerleader at Tennessee. Her family still lives in the Knoxville area. He owns land in east Tennessee.
Chris Mortensen:
The Tennessee job would be the only collegiate job that I think could really get Jon Gruden’s attention
I still think he's probably more inclined to go back to the NFL than college. The report last night started to sway me... but, I think it's still a long shot.
Re: Gruden to Tennessee?
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 10:36 am
by AZGrizFan
Skjellyfetti wrote:
Helps if you include key words like "Gruden" in the title so when I skim a forum to see if there's a thread on it already... I notice it.
Re: Gruden to Tennessee?
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 11:36 am
by 89Hen
Skjellyfetti wrote:OL- Juan Castillo
You mean not DC?
Re: Gruden to Tennessee?
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 11:54 am
by bluehenbillk
Skjellyfetti wrote:bluehenbillk wrote:Tennessee fans must be delusional. UT wouldn't be in Gruden's top 5 choices, I'm sorry.
Are you saying Tennessee wouldn't be in his top 5 college choices or top 5 choices overall? I agree that Tennessee probably wouldn't be among his top choices overall. But, it is certainly top... if not THE top college job to HIM.
He got his coaching start at Tennessee under Johnny Majors. He met his wife at Tennessee. His wife was the head cheerleader at Tennessee. Her family still lives in the Knoxville area. He owns land in east Tennessee.
Chris Mortensen:
The Tennessee job would be the only collegiate job that I think could really get Jon Gruden’s attention
I still think he's probably more inclined to go back to the NFL than college. The report last night started to sway me... but, I think it's still a long shot.
Bruce Feldman @BFeldmanCBS
Jon Gruden's agent calls all the wild Tenn rumors of late "just a fantasy world" RT @TennesseeBeat
http://bit.ly/SkKSJo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Gruden to Tennessee?
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 12:06 pm
by 89Hen
Smokey smells tuna.
Re: Gruden to Tennessee?
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2012 10:42 pm
by BlueHen86
Skjellyfetti wrote:
Helps if you include key words like "Gruden" in the title so when I skim a forum to see if there's a thread on it already... I notice it.
Agreed. Always helpful if the thread title gives an indication of what the thread is about. As opposed to using some nebulous title in an effort to be cute.
Re: Gruden to Tennessee?
Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2012 6:31 am
by Ivytalk
89Hen wrote:
Smokey smells tuna.
I was wondering when somebody would notice that!
Re: Gruden to Tennessee?
Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2012 5:09 pm
by Skjellyfetti
Well, this has been an interesting coaching search to follow...
So, Tennessee wouldn't budge to give Gruden enough to get an NFL caliber staff to Knoxville. Went after cheaper candidates. Looks like Gundy and Strong have decided to stay at Ok State and Louisville.
Jon Gruden was in Oakland today meeting with the Raiders.
http://nesn.com/2012/12/report-jon-grud ... ching-job/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
And, then this flight from Oakland to Knoxville tonight....
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N901 ... /KHWD/KTYS" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Perhaps Tennessee has decided to pony up the cash / make another offer?
Who knows...? but, interesting...
Re: Gruden to Tennessee?
Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2012 6:30 am
by bluehenbillk
Butch Jones