All signs are pointing to Jon Gruden being the next head coach of the Oakland Raiders, and the current ESPN analyst is only adding to that belief.
During an appearance on ESPN’s Golic & Wingo, Gruden confirmed he had a “good meeting” with Raiders owner Mark Davis and said “there’s a good chance” he would accept an offer.
“I’m excited about where I am in terms of studying the game and prepared to come back and coach. I just don’t want to sit here and speculate.”
Gruden refuted the report that a contract would include an ownership stake to the team. He said there was “no truth to that at all.”
But it sure seems likely Gruden will be leaving the broadcasting booth and returning to the sideline for the 2018 season. While the timeline for Oakland’s decision is unknown, the NFL world is now fully expecting that choice to officially be Gruden.
He last coached in 2008 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he compiled a 57-55 regular-season record, won a Super Bowl and reached the postseason two other years.
Prior to those seven years in Tampa, Gruden coached the Raiders for four years with a 38-26 mark and two playoff appearances.