Jon Gruden: No Miami Hurricanes, But Here Are 7 Places He Could Land After 2011

Jon Gruden continues to say he will not be accepting an invitation to coach the Miami Hurricanes next season.

Gruden has repeatedly said he is very happy with his job at ESPN and plans to continue to work there. His contract with ESPN runs through the 2011 season.  

After 2011, though, he is a free man.

The chance he chooses to work at ESPN over coaching football again while being contract free is slim to none.

Here are seven teams he could coach for after his contract runs out.

7. Miami Dolphins

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MINNEAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 19: Head coach Tony Sparano of the Miami Dolphins watches from the sidelines during the game against the Minnesota Vikings on September 19, 2010 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Ge

Tony Sparano will be on the hot seat next season if the Dolphins fail to make the playoffs.  

They failed to do so last season and most likely won't make it this year.  Three years without a postseason appearance won't go over well in Miami.

Gruden currently lives in the state of Florida.  I'm sure he would be happy to not have to make a big move to coach somewhere.

6. Jacksonville Jaguars

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 28: Head coach Jack Del Rio of the Jacksonville Jaguars watches on against the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on November 28, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Many wonder how Jack Del Rio still has a coaching job.  The Jaguars haven't made the playoffs since 2007 and they only have one playoff victory under Del Rio despite coaching since 2003.

Jacksonville could move soon and Jon Gruden would be a great starting block for a new beginning.

5. Pittsburgh Panthers

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 26: Head coach Dave Wannstedt of the Pittsburgh Panthers smiles before the start of their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels on December 26, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

The Panthers just went 6-5 in the pitiful Big East and were blown out in the Backyard Brawl at home against West Virginia.  A similar year next season could be the end of Dave Wannstedt in Pittsburgh.

Gruden has ties to the Panthers, as he coached receivers there in 1991.

4. Tennessee Volunteers

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COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 30: Head coach Derek Dooley of the Tennessee Volunteers watches on against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Im

Tennessee is a prestigious college football program and Derek Dooley doesn't have the big name that typically comes with that type of school.

After having a mediocre 5-5 record in 2010, another disappointing season in 2011 could be the end of Dooley if Gruden is an option for the Vols.

Gruden's connection to the University of Tennessee includes him starting his coaching career there as a graduate assistant in 1986.

3. Dallas Cowboys

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 14: Head coach Jason Garrett of the Dallas Cowboys looks on from the sidelines against the New York Giants on November 14, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Imag

Even if Jason Garrett is successful as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones won't be able to pass up adding a big name coach like Gruden to the coaching staff.

Expect Jones to keep Garrett as the interim head coach until he can offer Gruden the position.

Gruden couldn't pass up coaching a team as talented as the Dallas Cowboys.

2. San Francisco 49ers

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GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 29: Head coach Mike Singletary of the San Francisco 49ers walks off the field following the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on November 29, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The 49ers defeated

Mike Singletary's time in San Francisco is running out.  After being predicted to win the NFC West this season, the 49ers are currently 4-7.  If he's not fired this offseason, another poor year won't be tolerated.

Jon Gruden got his first NFL coaching experience with the 49ers back under Bill Walsh and Mike Holmgren in 1990-1991.

1. Cleveland Browns

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CLEVELAND - SEPTEMBER 2: Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini looks on during the preseason game against the Chicago Bears on September 2, 2010 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Browns defeated the Bears 13-10. (Photo by Justin K.

All the stars align for the Cleveland Browns.

Eric Mangini is on a thin leash, as he hasn't had any kind of success in Cleveland.  It doesn't look like he'll be fired this season, but next year, the Browns' patience could run dry.

Mike Holmgren is the Browns' president.  Holmgren not only gave Gruden his first coaching job, he brought him to Green Bay with him from San Francisco to coach his receivers.

His time in Green Bay then spread his reputation, leading to him ultimately receiving a head coaching job in Oakland. 

Gruden was born in Ohio, he went to college there and it's where his most realistic landing spot is.

David Daniels is an NFL Featured Columnist and Writing Intern at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer.  Follow him at One Yard Short.com or on Twitter