Jon Gruden: ESPN Analyst Decides Not to Re-Enter Coaching Arena

Despite recent rumors of his return, Super Bowl winning coach Jon Gruden will not be venturing back to the sidelines next season.

Ira Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune reported that Gruden had this to say about the future of his employment: 

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I love my job and I’ll be back at ESPN with the guys. I’m not going anywhere.

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This news comes on the heels of the following report by Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune. 

"

If Smith is available, league and agent sources strongly indicated that Smith will be hired as Rams’ general manager and bring along Jon Gruden as head coach.

Sources said Gruden has decided to return to coaching in 2012 and that his current employer, ESPN, is already preparing for his departure.

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Gruden remains a hot coaching commodity despite last being on the sideline in the 2008 season. In his 11 seasons as a coach with the Oakland Raiders and Tampa Buccaneers Gruden was 95-81. 

He made the playoffs five times and won one Super Bowl. He has a 5-4 career playoff record. 

Is Gruden Done with Coaching Forever? 

At this point, it is beginning to look like Gruden has turned into a lifetime announcer. He has faced rumors—and drawn plenty of interest—every year since he has been away, and he has turned them all down. 

This offseason presented plenty of attractive options. The Rams are a young team, with a franchise QB in place, and what is going to be a top five pick in the upcoming NFL draft. 

Gruden would have also likely been a candidate for the San Diego Chargers job. And that would have provided him with the opportunity to take over a talented team with one of the game's best QBs. The fact that he is taking himself off the market before entertaining offers for these jobs is revealing. 

Gruden makes good money, he has a high profile gig, and he is enjoying it. It is time to stop expecting him to give that up.