Penn State Speculation: Why Jon Gruden Would Be Ideal Successor to Joe Paterno

While I've heard nothing factual or substantiated about Jon Gruden becoming the Nittany Lions' next head football coach, I believe he would be a perfect fit.

Gruden undoubtedly has interest in taking his talents back to the world of head coaching.  

In 2009, Gruden turned down the opportunity to be Oregon's offensive coordinator. Last year, after University of Miami's Head Coach Randy Shannon was fired, Gruden popped up as a front-runner for the position.  

While Gruden ultimately turned down the opportunity, even after meeting with Miami athletic director Kirby Hocutt, it shows that Gruden has established interest in returning to the field as a head football coach, but this time in the ranks of college football. 

Gruden has the persona, confidence and charisma it takes to be a successful college football coach, especially when it comes to the recruiting trail.

Just imagine Gruden sitting in a highly touted recruit's house making a pitch as to why he's the best fit for leading that recruit's future.

All Gruden would have to do is flash his Super Bowl XXXVII ring in front of the recruit, or talk about the NFL Pro-Bowlers he has coached and that recruit would be his.

Sure, Gruden has a reputation of being blunt, in-your-face and brutally honest, which could scare potential recruits away, but that is the kind of coach that Penn State absolutely needs.  

In light of all the allegations surrounding Penn State's football program, it appears that Penn State wasn't honest enough. It is something that Gruden could undoubtedly improve.

Gruden's personality and coaching style, defined by his high level of comfort with confrontation, would bring a much needed atmosphere of discipline to the Nittany Lions football program.

In the past nine years, Penn State has had 27 football players convicted of 45 charges, with 46 total players having faced 163 criminal charges overall.

If Penn State truly wants to rebuild its reputation, that kind of behavior has to stop. Gruden is the man that could put an end to that. He leads with discipline, high standards, and strict consequences for inappropriate behavior.

In addition to what Gruden could bring to the Nittany Lions off the football field, he also would be able to bring an ability to win games on the field. It goes without saying that Gruden is a proven winner, having won Super Bowl XXXVII and making two trips to the AFC championship game.  

In addition to those career-defining achievements, Gruden also accumulated an impressive career head coaching record of 100-85 in 11 years in the NFL.

How did Gruden get that many wins?

He did so the exact same way that Penn State does year in and year out, with an absolutely dominant defense leading the way.

In his eight years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his Bucs' defense ranked in the top 10 of total defense, a total of seven times.

That kind of defensive dominance mirrors the dominance brought about by the Nittany Lions defense, which has ranked in the top 10 of total defense in four out the past five years.

Gruden knows how to win with the talent that he has around him, especially offensively speaking. To win a Super Bowl with average players at best, aside from wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, quarterback Brad Johnson, running back Michael Pittman, and tight end Ken Dilger.

Penn State hasn't necessarily drawn five-star recruits to State College over the past few years, and if Gruden becomes the next head coach, that wouldn't be an issue for him.

Gruden knows how to motivate players to reach their potential. He knows how to inspire players to play as a cohesive unit, something that Penn State will undoubtedly have to do in the upcoming years if it wants to stay relevant in the ranks of college football.

No one knows who Penn State's next head football coach will be, with speculation surrounding pursuit of Boise State's Chris Petersen, Mississippi State's Dan Mullen and current Interim Head Coach Tom Bradley.

One thing is for sure though, if a miracle happens and Penn State somehow lands Gruden, the future will be unbelievably bright in Happy Valley.