FAB 2. Gruden Is Still A Buccaneer

About 15 minutes into PewterReport.com’s exclusive interview for former Tampa Bay head coach and current ESPN Monday Night Football analyst, Jon Gruden, two things became crystal clear.

First, he wants to get back into coaching and admitted it.

And second, he still loves Tampa, the city in lives in, and he still loves the Buccaneers, the team that ultimately fired him. Gruden used the word “we” when talking about the Buccaneers – past or present.

Legendary Bucs DT Warren Sapp & Jon Gruden – Photo by: Getty Images

If he had his wish he would still love to be coaching the Bucs, and any sting from his abrupt dismissal on January 17, 2009 appears to be gone. After being acquired in a trade by Tampa Bay for $8 million, two first-round picks and two second-round picks on February 19, 2002, Gruden guided the Bucs to their first and only Super Bowl win and coached for seven seasons in the town he spent some of his childhood in before being fired after missing the playoffs in 2008 despite a 9-7 record.

Not only is Gruden Tampa Bay’s only Super Bowl-winning head coach, he is also the franchise’s all-time winningest coach, surpassing Tony Dungy’s mark of 54 wins with 57 victories.

“It means I was given enough years to get some wins,” Gruden said. “Someone told me a long time ago that as a head coach you’re going to get some credit for wins and losses, but it’s a collection of effort, really. I was fortunate to have some great players and some really great coaches. We did it together, and it wasn’t easy. We had a lot of roster turnover every year. We changed divisions from the NFC [Central] to the NFC South. It was a challenge, but I got to meet a lot of great people in the process and I’m honored to have had some success. I wish I had some more wins. Maybe I would still be there.”

Gruden is humbled about his induction into the Bucs Ring of Honor this year, and a press conference is set for Wednesday, August 2 to discuss it. The ceremony will take place at halftime of the Bucs vs. Falcons game on ESPN’s Monday Night Football when Gruden will be in town to call the game with Sean McDonough.

ESPN Monday Night Football announcers Jon Gruden and Sean McDonough – Photo courtesy of ESPN

“A lot of those [Bucs Ring of Honor] guys are my friends – Doug Williams and Jimmie Giles,” Gruden said. “It means a lot to me. It means a great deal, obviously. I grew up a Buccaneer fan. My dad, obviously, coached for them. My brother coached with me here, and I coached here. Most of the great memories in my life have a lot to do with the Buccaneers. To be considered to be one of ‘those guys’ is humbling. I’m honored and very thankful, obviously.”

While Gruden’s job at ESPN calls for him to study and analyze all 32 NFL teams, he definitely keeps tabs on the Bucs and has done so since starting the Fired Football Coaches Association (FFCA) in 2009 where he invites pro, college, high school coaches in to watch film and discuss the game of football. Following two 9-7 finishes and a playoff berth in 2007, Gruden admits he’s surprised that Tampa Bay hasn’t been back to the postseason since and that the team has only had two winning seasons – in 2010 and last year – since his departure.

“Yeah, it surprised me,” Gruden said. “I thought they were on their way. They had Darrelle Revis here. They had [Josh] Freeman come in here. I thought he had a hell of a year with 25 touchdowns and six picks. I’m surprised. Gerald McCoy’s here. They’ve got some good players. They’ve had some good players. I’m surprised, but I’m not shocked. It’s a competitive league. It’s hard to win. Hey, 9-7 is good, but I got fired. I got fired for 9-7. I think Coach [Tony] Dungy was 9-7 his last year – or 10-6.”

Gruden is proud of the coaching tree that he helped cultivate in Tampa Bay where several of his former assistant coaches have gone on to head coaching jobs – past or present – in the NFL.

Redskins coach Jay Gruden – Photo by: Getty Images

“A lot of guys have come out of Tampa,” Gruden said. “My brother, head coach of the Redskins, he was here every year with me. Kyle Shanahan was here with me. Sean McVay was here. That’s three head coaches. Then you’ve got Jeremy Bates and Nathaniel Hackett, who is the offensive coordinator at Jacksonville. [Mike] Tomlin got a head coaching job. [Rod] Marinelli got a head coaching job. I’m not saying it had anything to do with me, but it was us – it was the Glazers, it was the Bucs.”

Gruden left Raheem Morris, his replacement in 2009, and Gus Bradley off his list of former assistants that became head coaches. Not only did Gruden make a mark on his former assistant coaches, he also had an impact on his former players – many of whom have gone on to represent Tampa Bay as football broadcasters.

Cornerback Ronde Barber, defensive tackle Warren Sapp, safety John Lynch, wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, tight end Anthony Becht, wide receiver Joey Galloway and quarterback Brian Griese and defensive tackle Anthony “Booger” McFarland are some of Gruden’s former players that have either worked for ESPN, Fox or CBS to analyze either NFL or college football.

“That’s why I’m afraid to come back and coach,” Gruden laughed. “I’m afraid these guys will kill me. It’s the only reason I haven’t come back to coach (laughs). Galloway, Griese, McFarland – none of those guys like me. They didn’t like me when they played for me.”

Mike Smith & Jon Gruden – Photo by: Getty Images

Gruden jokes about his former players, but he really likes the current players on the Buccaneers roster, including star quarterback Jameis Winston and Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans. He also really likes the coaching staff that Koetter assembled in Tampa Bay that includes defensive coordinator Mike Smith, who Gruden used to square off against when Smith was the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

“This is an exciting time for Tampa,” Gruden said. “The expectations are huge and I hope that Monday Night Football game when I get to come back in December is a big one.

“I give Dirk Koetter credit, I give Mike Smith credit, and I give Jason Licht credit for working together and all doing a hell of a job in leading this team back.”