Jon Gruden To Miami: What It Would Mean To the Canes
Jon Gruden to Miami rumors continue to swirl Wednesday as The U looks to return to relevance in College Football.
After signing Randy Shannon to an extension before the start of the 2010 season, the administration decided to eat his contract in hopes of bringing a big name to south Florida.
Jon Gruden certainly fits the bill.
The longtime NFL coach has steadfastly denied he is interested in leaving the comfy confines of the broadcast booth, but there have been plenty of reports to the contrary.
Miami is pulling out the stops to lure Gruden to Coral Gables.
If they can find the cash to convince Chucky to give up his charmed life with ESPN, the shiny luster of The U will be restored in no time at all.
Here's a look at what hiring Jon Gruden would mean to the Miami Hurricanes.
No. 10: Experience In The College Ranks
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Long before he was a rising star in the NFL assistant coaching ranks, Gruden got his feet wet in the college game.
He spent time at several schools, most notably at Tennessee as a graduate assistant and Pittsburgh, where he was the wide receivers coach in the early 1990's.
Although not all former NFL head coaches have made a seamless transition to College Football, Gruden has the experience and personality to fit in right away.
Don't expect him to follow in the footsteps of Bill Callahan or Mike Sherman.
No. 9: Miami's Answer to Urban Meyer
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Urban Meyer brought continued success in the recruiting wars to Florida after he took over for Ron Zook.
In addition to bring in classes loaded with blue-chip recruits, Meyer did what Zook was never able to do: win.
While Randy Shannon was never able to match his rival's polarizing presence on the sidelines, Gruden would instantly place Miami back into the spotlight.
Thanks in part to his previous relationship with the Boo-Ya network, Jon Gruden would instantly become one of the most important faces of college football.
No. 8: Stress The Fundamentals
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Talent wasn't the problem during the Randy Shannon era in Coral Gables.
Execution was.
Despite having several future NFL players on both sides of the ball, Miami hasn't been able to translate that talent into wins in big games.
Gruden knows how to maximize the potential of the players at his disposal.
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7. Win Back the Fanbase
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There are plenty of things to do in Miami besides watch College Football.
Would you rather spend your Saturday afternoons soaking up the beautiful scenery on South Beach or sit in the hot sun to watch a mediocre team play football?
Despite the glorious history of The U, the fanbase isn’t the biggest or most rabid.
With interest and attendance on the decline, the administration needs to bring a big name to renew interest in the program.
Jon Gruden’s personality and pedigree of success would be a huge draw.
No. 6: Gruden Would Restore Stability
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Jimmy Johnson and Butch Davis enjoyed stability during their reigns in South Florida.
Even the often-criticized Larry Coker ran a stable program for a few seasons.
Following Shannon's inconsistent run in Miami, the program needs a leader who can generate consistent results.
Gruden runs a tight ship, which is exactly what the University of Miami needs right now.
No. 5: Gruden Is a Proven Winner
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Gruden has won a Super Bowl and been around successful NFL franchises throughout his NFL career.
He learned the West Coast offense under Bill Walsh, then moved onto Green Bay before becoming the Eagles' offensive coordinator.
Everywhere he went, Gruden was praised for his work ethic and coaching prowess.
Miami needs a coach who has shown he can win.
No. 4: Win Recruiting Wars
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Gruden's intense, rah-rah attitude is perfect for College Football.
Can you imagine him walking into a recruit's home and not managing to make a connection?
With his upbeat personality, Gruden would be able to dominate the recruiting front in South Florida while also renewing Miami's relevance on a national level.
No. 3: Gruden Brings Experience
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Jon Gruden is the epitome of a football lifer.
He has been destined for coaching ever since he was a high school quarterback in Ohio.
His coaching career has included stops at every level, and he has been a part of great offensive teams along with fantastic defensive squads.
Gruden won't be intimidated by opponents or influenced by critics.
At this point, Miami needs an experienced leader, not a hot young head coaching prospect still getting his feet wet.
No. 2: Gruden Brings That Miami Swagger
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Gruden's trademark scowl personifies his bravado as a head coach.
Miami's program has featured star players who came to represent the swagger of head coaches including Dennis Erickson and Jimmy Johnson.
In recent years, that insane level of cockiness that made Miami a program the nation loved to hate has started fade.
Gruden's intense attitude would bring the swagger back to South Florida.
No. 1: Gruden Brings Leadership
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Randy Shannon was said to be widely respected by his players and his fellow coaches.
That might have been true, but there is no doubt he failed to provide the right type of leadership for his team.
It's not like the cupboard was bare.
Now, Miami needs a head coach who can be the face of its storied program.
Gruden is a controlling head coach who would make sure his fingerprints were all over The U.
From monitoring academics, stressing the strength and conditioning program and ensuring execution on gameday, Chucky would insist things were done his way.
The same stubborn qualities that led to his eventual firings as a head coach in the NFL would make him an asset to any college program.
Jon Gruden has what it takes to make Miami a fixture in the top 10 for many years to come.
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