In the strongest statements since he took the job in 2009, Jon Gruden says he'll be back in the Monday Night Football booth at least for the 2014 season. Gruden has been the subject of countless coaching rumors since he became an television analyst and up until recently, had not shut them down with any vigor.
During a public appearance at a Florida bank back in October, Gruden told an enthusiastic gathering that he wanted to give coaching "one more try." In the wake of Gary Kubiak's firing last week, the Houston Texans were hoping that they would be that "one more try," however, Gruden has apparently shot that idea down.
Gruden told ESPN's Chris Mortensen that he's focusing on television for at least one more season: "I'm not going to address every little rumor or supposed conversation that takes place, according to these so-called sources."
The former Tampa Bay Buccanners coach continued, "There are a lot of good coaches out there available to coach these teams. I'm just hoping ESPN likes the the job I'm doing. That's my focus."
These are the most definitive statements Gruden has made in regards to a coaching rumor. In the past, he would either ignore them or say something that would fuel the fire perhaps to squeeze more money from ESPN.
We know that in 2014, we'll still have Jon Gruden on Monday Night Football. Beyond that is anyone's guess.
[ESPN]
