Report: Gruden preparing to return to coaching in 2012

[.infamous]

Earlier this year, Jon Gruden signed an “exclusive” five-year contract with ESPN, which was scheduled to commence in 2012. And it’s so “exclusive” that Gruden may be gone before the first day of the new deal.

In a thorough and detailed update regarding the coming turmoil in San Diego, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune reports that Gruden has decided to return to coaching in 2012, and that ESPN is aware of Gruden’s looming departure.

And here’s where it gets even more interesting. Acee reports that, if Rams owner Stan Kroenke fires coach Steve Spagnuolo and G.M. Billy Devaney, Kroenke will attempt to hire Chargers G.M. A.J. Smith (if/when Smith is fired by the Chargers) and Gruden in a package deal that would consist of a guy who never smiles, and a guy who always scowls.

Chargers owner Dean Spanos is expected to reveal next week his plans regarding the G.M. position. It’s widely regarded as a given that coach Norv Turner will be fired.

On Sunday night, Peter King of Football Night In America opined that the Rams’ job could be the best one available in the 2012 hiring cycle, given the presence of Sam Bradford, the possibility of the top pick in the 2012 draft, and the most cap room of any team come 2013.

Of course, there’s also a chance that Smith is hoping the Chargers realize that Smith could lure Gruden to San Diego as the replacement for Turner. Perhaps not coincidentally, Gruden gushed about Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers when San Diego recently played the Jaguars on Monday Night Football. (We know he does that with everyone, but it was even more over the top than usual with Rivers.)

Thank You!!! Don't have to listen to him on MNF anymore or espn. Dude is annoying as hell.

 

[elcheato]

Bring back Kornheiser

 

[WHO-DEY-BENGALS_18]

I don't have anything against Gruden and I like him on the MNF crew, but I wouldn't mind seeing him as a head coach again.

 

[Hurricane Season]

Bring back Kornheiser

 

[Giantmetfan07]

Gruden is just awful on MNF. Constantly says "this guy" and basically has something nice to say for just about every player. And then he'll contradict himself and criticize that same player later on in the game.

 

[Mooche]

The rumor right now is St. Louis is going to make a play for Gruden.

 

[Big Bid'Ness]

Fromrofootballtalk

ESPN says Gruden “remains committed” to Monday Night Football

Last night, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Jon Gruden plans to return to coaching in 2012, and that ESPN is aware of his decision.

ESPN says otherwise.

“Jon signed a multi-year extension with ESPN this fall,” ESPN said in a statement provided to PFT. “He remains committed to being a part of Monday Night Football for many years.”

Multiple industry sources have expressed to PFT a strong belief that Gruden will indeed return to ESPN in 2012. He said nothing at the end of last night’s broadcast to suggest that it could be his final appearance.

And even though ESPN is taking a strong and clear position in this regard, let’s not forget that Gruden’s “exclusive” contract extension with ESPN most likely applies only to broadcasting and not to coaching. (ESPN consistently has declined to comment on that specific detail.) Thus, if he wants to leave for coaching, ESPN has no way to stop him.

Eventually, he will. For now, ESPN says he’s staying put. Gruden has yet to say anything on the matter.

 

[TTN2810]

If he does return, that team will have the worst head coach in the league lol.