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Super Bowl champ craves coaching return amid Mark Stoops' struggles and massive buyout fiasco

In the cutthroat world of college football, where legacies are built on wins and buyouts can bankrupt programs, a Super Bowl champion is stirring the pot. Jon Gruden, the fiery coach who led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to glory in 2003, recently confessed on a podcast that he'd "die" to helm an SEC team. With Kentucky's Mark Stoops reeling from a dismal 4-8 season—his worst in over a decade—and facing a staggering $37.5 million buyout clause, the timing couldn't be more intriguing.Gruden, 61, hasn't coached since his abrupt 2021 resignation from the Las Vegas Raiders amid an email scandal involving offensive language. Yet, his offensive genius and charisma remain legendary: a 117-112 NFL record, quarterback whisperer to MVPs, and a media darling during his ESPN days. Big Blue Nation, hungry for a turnaround after Kentucky's slide, is buzzing—could Gruden's SEC craving lead to a Wildcats revival? As rumors swirl and fans debate, one thing's clear: This could be the blockbuster hire that shakes up the conference. Dive into the details, from Gruden's controversial past to Stoops' hot seat, and why Kentucky might just roll the dice.
ByDrew Holbrook|
Oakland Raiders v Houston Texans
Oakland Raiders v Houston Texans | Wesley Hitt/GettyImages

Jon Gruden eyes Kentucky SEC gig after expressing desire to 'Die' coaching in the league amid Mark Stoops' struggles

Jon Gruden isn’t hiding his intentions. Speaking to the Georgia Bulldogs during fall camp, the former Super Bowl-winning coach cut straight to the chase:

"“The only reason I really came here is I want to coach again. I’m being honest with you, I do not (expletive), either. I want to coach again. I’d die to coach in the SEC. I would love it. I would (expletive) love it.”"
Jon Gruden

Those aren’t words you throw out lightly in a room full of SEC-caliber athletes. And they’ve already sparked the question — could Gruden follow in the footsteps of Bill Belichick, who just stunned the sport by taking over at North Carolina late last year?

Gruden’s résumé is undeniable. The man has done it at the highest level:

  • Super Bowl XXXVII champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at just 39 years old.
  • 117 career NFL wins and five playoff appearances.
  • Known as a quarterback developer, with Rich Gannon and Brad Johnson among his most notable success stories.
  • A personality big enough to turn recruiting visits into viral moments.

He also knows the college game — his coaching roots started in the 1980s with stops at Tennessee, Southeast Missouri State, Pacific, and Pitt before jumping to the NFL. His offensive play-calling fingerprints are still visible in modern schemes.

The baggage weighs Gruden down

But Gruden comes with baggage, and no SEC program could dodge the elephant in the room. His 2021 resignation from the then Oakland Raiders came after emails surfaced containing racist, homophobic, and misogynistic language. The leak — which Gruden says was a targeted attack by the NFL — ended his coaching career overnight. He’s been in a legal battle with the league ever since.

Any school hiring Gruden would have to answer tough questions from media, fans, and recruits. And Gruden himself would have to stand in front of cameras and own every word that cost him his last job.

How Kentucky could benefit from hiring a legend

From a Kentucky perspective? The fit is intriguing on paper but expensive in reality. Mark Stoops’ buyout will still be north of $30 million through the 2026 season. Unless Stoops steps down or negotiates a smaller number, that’s a massive hurdle — even for boosters who might salivate at the thought of “Chucky” prowling Kroger Field.

Any QB prospect would salivate to commit to Gruden, who has deep ties to the position. They would be NFL ready and teams will know they have learned from a QB guru for 3 years. Immediately, 5 star players would be willing to come to Kentucky, when otherwise they would not be interested.

The idea of Jon Gruden calling spider 2 y banana in the SEC is the kind of headline college football eats alive. He’s bold. He’s loud. He’s proven. And, whether you love him or can’t stand him, he’d have no trouble getting every eyeball in the country on your program. In the day of NIL, that means money. Money means top players.

Final thoughts

BBN — could you see it? Would you want Jon Gruden in Lexington, headset on, visor down, ready to take the fight to Georgia and Alabama? Or is that just too much smoke for Kentucky to touch?

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