Maybe Chucky Is Interested In The Miami Job?

As brother Phil pointed out it seems things are moving along in Miami's courtship of Jon Gruden. Miami athletic director Kirby Hocutt is reportedly meeting with Gruden today in Tampa to gauge his level of interest in the job. Gruden did cancel an appearance on Mike & Mike on ESPN Radioa Wednesday morning which would lead you to believe some kind of face to face will occur.

Canesport.com, Miami's Rivals.com site, has reported that the final details are being worked out with Gruden and that barring a last minute change of mind Gruden will be the next head coach of Miami. The Miami Herald is citing University of Miami trustee's that the process with Gruden hasn't reached that point.

Below is the link to Wednesday's Miami Herald article.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/12/01/1951021/gruden-shows-interest-as-um-tries.html

Two members of the board said that Gruden is the top choice but are concerned he may wait for a job in the NFL.

Should Gruden show no interest Miami is expected to chase after Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen. When asked via text by the Starkville daily news if Mullen was a candidate for the Miami and the University of Minnesota job he wrote back via twitter, "with all the rumors, all I am mulling over is the flu and what bowl we are going too."

The Miami Herald quotes a Miami official on Miami's interest in Mullen,
``We would have to scrutinize that one. Is two years [of head coaching experience] enough? There's a difference of opinion on that.''

Should this process move along keep two names in mind, Tommy Tuberville and Randy Edsell. Many of the football players of the past would love to see Tuberville, a former Miami assistant, get the gig. Edsell is gaining traction as well.

More when we know more.

UPDATE:

The University of Miami sent an e-mail that there will be no press conference today and all reports are inaccurate.

WQAM radio in Miami has been all over this story. Below is a link to listen in.

http://www.wqam.com/streamer/index.php?displaystreamer=true

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

Breaking: Looks like Jon Gruden likes Miami after all

Jon Gruden/Courtesy: backseatfan.com

It would appear that there still is a match to be made here. Reports are starting to trickle out of the Miami area tonight that despite his denials, Jon Gruden is in line to be the next coach of the Hurricanes.

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel reporter Steve Groeten tweeted this tonight:

UM AD Kirby Hocutt and Jon Gruden meeting Wednesday to finalize details of a contract, according to a source close to situation.

He followed with this: A second source just confirmed the Hocutt-Gruden meeting.

Here is a longer version of a Groeten story also adding that if for some reason an agreement can't be reached with Gruden, Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen will be the fallback plan.


We believe that there may be something to these reports. While we don't quite get the Gruden thing...and we still aren't 100% convinced that its true, the Mullen option seems legit. No, Miami isn't in the SEC (they're in the crappy football playing ACC), they are still Miami and with the right guy in front of the program can be a factor. Maybe Gruden feels this is a way to prove he's that guy.

We'll keep following this story and let you know if and when things are official.

Here's a look at Gruden...on David Letterman's show:

Who Wants The Miami Job? Chucky Not Interested?

Will the glory days ever return to the "U" or is 7-5 seasons the norm? With the firing of Randy Shannon the Miami Hurricanes are at a crossroads and finds itself trying to find the right fit for a head coach.

The Jon Gruden to the "U" rumors have been flying but Chucky himself has said he is content with his ESPN gig. Gruden would be nothing but a short term fix for Miami and would serve as an audition for the next NFL job. It would be a great hire but not one that would serve the programs long term interests. Of course I could be wrong.

Miami Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt has a list and these names just might be on it.

Mark Richt - If Richt is going to move on from Georgia this seems to be the time to do it. The Bulldogs have been mediocre at best the last two seasons which hasn't endeared Richt to the fan base. Keep in mind Richt was Jim Kelly's back up as a player at Miami so he's a alum. Richt has had some discipline issues at Georgia recently which might work against him. Bottom line, I would be shocked if Richt bolted Athens for South Beach.

Mike Leach - I know Leach has a big mouth and is a nightmare for his bosses but he his offense just might work for the Hurricanes. Leach's Texas Tech defenses weren't that good but does the same kind of athlete attend Texas Tech compared to Miami? Don't get me wrong, Leach at best would be maybe a third or fourth option but he's a proven coach and would bring some much needed excitement from an apathetic fan base. Does the "U" want to carry his baggage?

Tommy Tuberville - His credentials are tremendous. A winner in the SEC at Auburn. A successful first season at Texas Tech with a 7-5 record. Tuberville spent seven years at the "U" as an assistant coach so he knows the ins and outs of the program. Could Tubs be pried away from Lubbock, Texas after just one season?

Dan Mullen - The guy can coach offense. I think Mullen would be a great hire for Miami. Young coach whose done a tremendous job at Mississippi State. Mullen should get a call.

Gus Malzahn - Hottest assistant coach out there. Kirby Hocutt should have Malzahn's number on his speed dial. A must call.

Brent Ventables - Another assistant coach on many athletic director's list. Lack of head coaching experience will hurt his chances but he's is a known commodity to Hocutt, they were teammates at Kansas State in the early 1990's.

Jim Leavitt - Way to much baggage.

Canes limp home, Randy Shannon gets fired....

Randy Shannon/Courtesy: miamiherald.com

It was inevitable. The rumors had been circulating most of the day on Saturday. The empty seats in Sun-Life stadium and the lifeless performance of the "U" against South Florida re-enforced it. It was time to change coaches.

Randy Shannon got four years to turn the University of Miami back into the power that they imagine themselves to be. It didn't happen. So he was fired Saturday night.

More from the Miami Herald RIGHT HERE

Shannon went 28-22 in his 4-years. Not exactly earth shattering. Though for some strange reason, the school gave him a 4-year extension on his contract before this 7-5 season even started. To buy that out will cost them some money. But that's what big time schools who think they are something they are not do.

This is the first, well with Robbie Caldwell's resignation, actually the second coaching opening of the Carousel season. Usually that season starts after conference championship games. Not this year. No word on the suspects in line for the gig, though we bet that this years wonderkind, Jim Harbaugh will be among them.

The "Official" press conference will be Sunday afternoon to announce this.

J-DUB UPDATE 10:30am: Shannon's offensive line coach, Jeff Stoutland, will take over as interim 'Canes coach through the bowl game, according to the Associated Press.

And there's more: The rampant speculation has already begun. Those who's job it is to throw random names are throwing Jon Gruden and possibly Georgia Head Coach and Miami grad Mark Richt as potential contenders. Expect anyone who's ever had success as a college coach short of Joe Paterno and Nick Saban and maybe Gene Chizik to have their name bandied about.

In the meantime, here is some discussion on it from our pals at ESPN:

Will Muschamp to Tennessee...Uh...No!

You can, we think cross one name off of the University of Tennessee's coaching wish list. Texas Defensive Coordinator and Coach in Waiting Will Muschamp has gone on record saying that he is "Happy at Texas and plans to be here for a long time".

Check out the story from the Dallas Morning News RIGHT HERE

Now...the list of arbitrary names thrown out by people within the media begins to climb.

According to profootballtalk.com, Lovie Smith of the Bears, who was interviewed for the job at Tennessee in 2008, should be thinking about revisiting that, speculating that Smith's hold on the job in Chicago is tenuous this year...at best.

Another name that has surfaced as being a "Serious" candidate. Troy Calhoun,

the coach at the Air Force. Calhoun has had quite a bit of success in Colorado Springs. He was asked about it and brusquely answered "I'm the coach at the Air Force Academy and that is it".

Read more from GoVolsExtra.com RIGHT HERE

Check out more from gazette.com in Colorado Springs RIGHT HERE

((Troy Calhoun photo//Courtesy:Getty Images))

According to the Sporting News, Jon Gruden was approached about the job but declined. Other names on the so-called short list; David Cutcliffe the Coach at Duke, Kevin Sumlin of Houston and several people have speculated that the Great Pumpkin, Phil Fulmer is on the list.

**Afternoon note***-Chris Low of the 4-letter (ESPN) says, Cutcliffe is now the focus along with Calhoun and an intersting name...Derek Dooley. READ HERE

Stay tuned because this part of the carousel should get more interesting quickly as Tennessee AD Mike Hamilton has publicly stated a desire to get this done with no later than Sunday.

Chucky to Louisville?

Okay, let's play Coaching Carousel rumors today. In today's game we will name a team or school who thinks that they might have a coaching job coming available in the near future. We will name the school and then we will name the name that they are trying to attract.

Today's school is Louisville. Louisville has had a decent run of success in Football over the past oh...10 years. A lot of that is due to the coaches that they have had. The current coach; Steve Kragthorpe has not been very successful; in fact there are almost weekly rumors that he will be losing his job...sooner rather than later.

What name would be attached to this you ask? Why it's none other than former Tampa Bay Buccaneer coach and current Monday Night Football Announcer Jon Gruden. Why Gruden? Well, you can read the original report yourself from the National Football Post...though it doesn't offer much insight aside from Gruden's brother Jay playing there

The story from the National Football Post right HERE .

The NFL Network's Michael Lombardi adds his 2-Cents HERE.

((Jon Gruden Photo//Courtesy: s2nblog.wordpress.com))

Really, we don't put a whole lot of credence in this story, we just felt like it was an excuse to talk about Gruden. If you have watched Monday Night Football, it's amazing how good and natural he seems in the analyst role. I never would have figured that. Gruden's name has also popped up in conversations about the Redskins, Raiders and other crappy NFL teams.

We think Louisville may be a bit out of their minds for throwing this out there, but if I'm Tom Jurich, why not? His program isn't quite the "Elite" program that he seems to think it is, but they have had some success and when the inevitable happens and Kragthorpe gets fired, they will be able to find a decent coach to take over the reins.

As much as we wouldn't mind seeing Gruden back on a sideline because he without a doubt was one of the most entertaining coaches out there, we like him more in his current role with MNF. There haven't been any reports that I have seen stating he doesn't like the cushy TV gig, so if that is true...then why leave it?

In the meantime, enjoy this clip of Gruden wearing a mic...Courtesy: YouTube

Did Gruden Stiff NFL-N...?

((HT: Awful Announcing))

Rich Eisen was a guest on the "Dan Patrick Show" and was in a little Q-and-A over Jon Gruden's new gig with "Monday Night Football."

Apparently, to Eisen's understanding, Gruden was heading to the Network, and then, all of a sudden signed with the four-letter...

Here's your exchange...

Chucky Does TV?

We weren't really sure what to think when we saw this headline today "Gruden to replace Kornhieser in MNF Booth". I guess it is the end of "Cornholio" on Football. Oddly, he won't be missed.

The stranger part of the announcement...Jon Gruden to the announcers booth. Okay, that just sounds wierd. Gruden, one of the stranger, more intense not such a big fan of TV coaches that ever existed, is crossing over to the dark side. We say that with the caveat of knowing that most coaches who do this are pretty much giving themselves something to do until the next coaching job comes along...which it will.

Anyway, check out the story from our friends at the 4-Letter word (ESPN) here

And because we like to entertain...check out this video from the You Tube....

Chucky Chucked From Bucs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers today announced that they have dismissed head coach Jon Gruden ((pictured, thanks Tampa Tribune/Jay Conner)) and General Manager Bruce Allen, according a two-paragraph release on the Bucs' web site.

"We will be forever grateful to Jon for bringing us the Super Bowl title, and we thank Bruce for his contributions to our franchise," said Buccaneers Co-Chairman Joel Glazer in the announcement. "However after careful consideration, we feel that this decision is in the best interest of our organization moving forward."

More as we know more...
Carry on...

Who Will Phil - In At Tennessee

There is big time pressure on Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton on this hire. So let’s help the man out, here’s some names to consider to become the Vols next head football coach:

Butch Davis: High profile name that’s a great coach and recruiter which is a combo you must possess to have success at Tennessee. On the flip side, why would he leave unfinished business at North Carolina to start over at UT?

Lane Kiffin: Sources have told OSG that Tennessee covets the former Oakland Raiders coach. I’m not sure if it’s Hamilton or if the infatuation lies within the deep pocketed boosters. Kiffin is an offensive coach who can recruit and is high profile. He will come at a high cost financially but money doesn’t seem to be an issue at Tennessee. I’m not sure Kiffin would be a good hire for the Vols. It’s one thing to recruit South Central LA, it’s another to recruit the South.

Jon Gruden: Yeah right.

Mike Gundy: Would be a good fit but Boone Pickens will take care of this Oklahoma State alum if you know what I mean. Gundy isn’t going anywhere.

Will Muschamp: Is there any list Muschamp won’t be on? He’s the hot young assistant that could go anywhere (Clemson, Washington, Tennessee) just got to come up with the moolah. Forget the fact he’s never been a head coach, Muschamp has been a defensive coordinator in the SEC and has ties with high school coaches all over the south. The only negative is that at Tennessee, they love offense and Muschamp is a defensive guy.

Mike Leach: Has a great offensive mind and players love to play for him. Leach has a different shall we say quirky personality which might rub Vol fans the wrong way.

Chris Petersen: He’s great at Boise but Tennessee might be over his head.

Tim Brewster: If he can revive what was a dreadful Minnesota program from the dead like Brewster has this season, he deserves more than just a courtesy look. Brewster has recruiting skills and has had some success in the South. May not be the big name hire but Brewster is a winner and might be a good fit.

David Cutcliffe: "I'm at Duke, staying at Duke," There you have it.

Tommy Tuberville: What a way to say $@&^ you to Auburn fans, boosters, etc. than to go to Tennessee after all, Tuberville hasn’t coached in the SEC East yet. Tuberville has too much class to do that.

Turner Gill: Buffalo is nice in December

Todd Graham: Stay in Tulsa

There you go, talk amongst yourselves.