After some time away from the sidelines and with his last stint in the NFL behind him, Jon Gruden could soon return to coaching — if he chooses to do so. Following a legal battle from which he emerged relatively unscathed, the former Raiders head coach is now being linked to a potential role with a major college football program.
While the NCAAF season has yet to officially kick off, early predictions are already rolling in. One HC under particular pressure to deliver a strong campaign is Brent Pry, the current leader of the Virginia Tech Hokies — with many believing his job could be on the line if results don’t improve.
And that’s where Gruden’s name comes into play. According to ESPN’s Peter Burns, he is the ideal candidate to potentially take over this historic program in the future.
“Virginia Tech HC Jon Gruden just seems so right for 2026,” the insider firmly stated via @PeterBurnsESPN.
Head coach Brent Pry of the Virginia Tech Hokies prior to a game against the NC State Wolfpack at Lane Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Blacksburg, Virginia.
When asked in the past about the possibility of returning to coaching, Gruden was clear and firm with the media: “I’m being honest with you, I do not (expletive), either,” he said. “I want to coach again. I’d die to coach in the SEC.”
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Gruden’s legal battle
In a significant legal blow to the NFL, former Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden has secured a major victory in his long-running lawsuit against the league. The Nevada Supreme Court ruled 5-2 in Gruden’s favor, blocking the NFL’s attempt to force the case into private arbitration.
This decision, which deemed the league’s arbitration clause unconscionable and not applicable to Gruden as a former employee, clears the path for the lawsuit to proceed in civil court. With the case now set for a public forum, Gruden’s legal team is poised to pursue discovery, potentially bringing to light new details about who was responsible for leaking the emails that led to his resignation.
“We’re very pleased with the Nevada Supreme Court’s decision, not just for Coach Gruden but for all employees facing an employer’s unfair arbitration process,” Gruden’s attorney Adam Hosmer-Henner said in a statement. “This victory further vindicates Coach Gruden’s reputation, and it clears the way to swiftly bringing him full justice and holding the NFL accountable.”
A look back at Jon Gruden’s career
Throughout his varied career, Jon Gruden has had a unique journey in professional football. He first served as the head coach for the Oakland Raiders from 1998 to 2001 before taking over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he led the team to a Super Bowl XXXVII title in 2003.
After seven seasons with the Bucs, Gruden transitioned to the broadcast booth, becoming a prominent TV analyst for ESPN. In 2018, he returned to the Raiders for a second stint as head coach.
Following his time in the NFL, Gruden has taken on new roles, including a consulting position with the New Orleans Saints in 2023 and, most recently, becoming a part-owner and consultant for the Nashville Kats of the Arena Football One league.
