Jon Gruden Update

[DizzG]

Mike Finger also tweeted Red called powers to push Gruden and is telling other boosters to do the same

UT football: Booster McCombs lobbying for Gruden

Posted on January 2, 2014 | BY MIKE FINGER

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AUSTIN — Billionaire Texas donor Red McCombs insists he doesn’t know who the Longhorns are going to hire to be their next football coach. But asked Thursday if he had a recommendation, the San Antonio auto magnate didn’t hesitate to offer one.

“They should hire Jon Gruden,†McCombs said. “I think he’s the best football coach out there. And he’s available.â€

McCombs, who has donated more than $100 million to UT’s business school, cancer research center and athletic program, said he has called university president Bill Powers to urge him to consider Gruden and also has urged other UT boosters to do the same.

Gruden, who won Super Bowl XXXVIII with Tampa Bay, coached the Buccaneers from 2002-’08 and the Oakland Raiders from 1998’2001. He has spent the last five seasons as a color commentator on ESPN’s Monday Night Football broadcasts.

His last college coaching experience came in 1991 as an assistant coach at Pittsburgh.

McCombs said he “does not speak for†Gruden, but said he received glowing reports from several people he consulted about the former NFL coach.

It is unclear as to whether Gruden has been approached by UT athletic director Steve Patterson about the Longhorns’ job, which came open when Mack Brown stepped down after 16 seasons as head coach.

A UT source confirmed previously published reports that Patterson interviewed Louisville head coach Charlie Strong on Tuesday. The Longhorns also are interested in interviewing Baylor coach Art Briles, while Vanderbilt’s James Franklin and Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher also are potential targets, the source said.

Before Monday’s Valero Alamo Bowl, Patterson said he would like to hire a coach by Jan. 15. McCombs said the Longhorns should have no difficulty hiring an elite candidate.

“It’s the best coaching job in America,†McCombs said. “I don’t see how they can miss. They can get anyone they want. They can close their eyes and go ‘eeny-meeny-miny-moe’ and end up with someone good.â€

 

[DizzG]

Point to remember Red was a big Saban guy and on the team to money whip him

this could be more diversion

 

[Texas Homer]

Did he miss the Powers has been neutered meeting or do we have it all backwards and Powers is controlling the coaching search?

 

[btown1110]

Point to remember Red was a big Saban guy and on the team to money whip him
this could be more diversion

Who's playing tonight again?

 

[seahawkhorn]

Why would he call Powers and not Patterson?

 

[Donald Boyles]

Point to remember Red was a big Saban guy and on the team to money whip him
this could be more diversion

I believe this to be the case..

 

[UTK66]

#saynotochuckie

 

[djohn2oo8]

lol so muchh smoke

 

[Texas Homer]

Point to remember Red was a big Saban guy and on the team to money whip him
this could be more diversion

That makes more sense to me...thanks for the info!

 

[djohn2oo8]

It'll be interesting to see how much smoke appears or if it stops after Saban's bowl game.

 

[Vigil]

Point to remember Red was a big Saban guy and on the team to money whip him
this could be more diversion

This is pretty much textbook confirmation bias, but I want to believe!

 

[CoachBobbyFinstock]

Point to remember Red was a big Saban guy and on the team to money whip him
this could be more diversion

Or maybe he moved on because Saban isn't happening.

 

[Davharjac]

I can not stress this enough HECK NO TO CHUCKIE

He has not coached at this level in ages, heck he has not coached at any level in years, unless you count those hokey ESPN sit down, no thanks. He understands football yes, but I get the feeling he is fat and happy. Another thing to remember is John was down right evil to his Qbs..and his team overall, so much so that after 9-7 season he was let go. I think there is a lot of magic around him now because he a great TV personality on ESPN, but after a few years of him pacing the sidelines like a mass murderer all the luster will be gone.

 

[DizzG]

Or maybe he moved on because Saban isn't happening.

Thats possible...but if there was a decision it would seem that would leak out any time now. nothing yet. Guess we will see

I just know Red was a big Saban guy and made some VERY public comments about UT having more than enough money for him, and that he thought UT could get him. IF Saban were still in play he may be trying to distance himself from a bit if its going to go down. Who knows. its all speculation at this point

 

[Hornry]

I would offer Gruden the job in a heart beat if Saban turns us down. We need a sonic boom at this point. I don't care if he has not coached in a while. He said he would run the Ducks O. He is young and has a fire that kids would love. Give him a great staff and I think he would kill it at UT.

 

[seahawkhorn]

Post on OB. "This is probably McCombs fallback guy since Saban turned us down"

Nuu's response. "That's probably the most logical answer"

 

[badboy783]

All it would take is for Gruden to get in front of the committee and they would be sold.

I'm not sure how Gruden would do at the college level but when you are talking splash hires, you can put this up there with the Saban and Harbaugh names.