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Ever since he was canned by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2009, in what was one of the most ill-advised firings in league history, Jon Gruden has been atop the leader-boards of NFL head coaching candidates.
But now in 2012, three years later, Gruden still has not pounced on a single head coaching gig.
This is largely because he has made it clear over the past few years that he enjoys his current stint as a broadcaster for Monday Night Football (MNF), and is not interested in coaching at this time, even though the Philadelphia Eagles, his former suitor, just fired their decorated head coach of 14 years, Andy Reid.
But former Eagles QB Ron Jaworski, one of Gruden’s compadres on MNF broadcasts, begs to differ.
Jaworksi said in a radio interview with 97.5 The Fanatic that Gruden would like to coach in the NFL again, but as long as it is for the right team. He also said that Gruden had not yet heard from the Eagles in any respect regarding the team’s head coaching vacancy.
Gruden is certainly familiar with the Eagles and the city of Philadelphia, being that he was the squad’s offensive coordinator from 1995-1997, before accepting his first NFL head coaching job with the Oakland Raiders in 1998 after a short, but very successful, run in Philly.
Another former Eagles’ great, head coach Dick Vermeil, also weighed in on the suspected rekindling of Gruden and the birds in an interview with 94 WIP on Tuesday.
“My choice would be Jon Gruden,” said Vermeil in regards to the Eagles’ head coaching void.
“I’d do more than ask,” stated Vermeil. “I’d get in a bus and take the bank with me.”
These are certainly some generous accolades from a couple of all-time Eagles’ icons. There is no doubt that Gruden is a fiery and colorful character, who is perfect for the city of Philly.
If the Eagles know what is best for them, they will listen to the guidance of Jaworski and Vermeil, and hire Gruden as their head coach, without taking “no” for an answer.
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