Comments on: Rumors Gruden Style: A Hogs-Vols Bidding War?

By: As The Gruden Turns: Hogs Swing And Miss, Vols On Deck (And Sources Say They’re In Good Shape))

Wed, 21 Nov 2012 16:00:30 +0000

[...] Sunday, CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora claimed Arkansas and Tennessee were both targeting ex-NFL coach and current ESPN analyst Jon Gruden for their coaching vacancies. Two nights ago, KTHV -TV in Fayetteville reported that Arkansas had [...]

By: TravisChumley

TravisChumley — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 20:51:42 +0000

@SevierVol Don’t get me wrong, Gruden is still #1 on my list, I just don’t want to be all in and be too disappointed with someone else. I want to keep my list open to other people, I will say that after the press conference yesterday and with the mainstream coverage today, I feel more confident than I ever have in a home run hire and in Harts ability to make it happen. Sevier Co.? I love it up there, I live in Claiborne Co. on the KY, VA border. GBO!

By: badbadhoggie

badbadhoggie — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 20:50:22 +0000

Just heard it on the,radio here in memphis on one of the local talk show host John Rainey “The Rainman” his reliable source told him that the day after the vols-miss st game an offer of was made to gruden of $30 mil over 6 yrs and gruden wanted less yrs and more money, so tenn offered 4yrs and the same $30mil over 4 yrs and he accepted the offer and it will be announced soon after the Kentucky game? Now it’s all settled and everyone can start looking elsewhere!! Now who do my HOGS hire? dayum lol

By: Mith242

Mith242 — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 20:41:00 +0000

@John at MrSEC Actually I was thinking he was more like Bigfoot. I’m waiting for someone to show up with a mold of his footprint from his imported boutique shoes. lol But seriously, there really does seem to be a lot of smoke here. But I’m still not holding my breath on Gruden leaving his ESPN job just yet. Maybe he really will make a move this time. But I just think Gruden likes hearing his name batted around by these schools.

By: SevierVol

SevierVol — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 20:29:29 +0000

Travis, i agree that Gruden is an extreme long shot. I also believe he could initially recruit on name and reputation alone. If he is successful early, the recruits would continue to come but if improvement doesen’t come quickly, there could be a problem. I think Gruden would be wise enough to hire a great recruiter or two and he could then finalize the deal. . If you don’t aim for a big name, you are certainly not going to get a big name. After tje last few years, it’s okay just to sit back and dream a little.

By: John at MrSEC

John at MrSEC — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 19:49:22 +0000

@badbadhoggie

Made me laugh.

Perhaps Gruden is a vampire… which would explain why no one can get a picture of him while he’s visiting the local Sizzler with School X’s athletic director.

Thanks for reading the site,
John

By: badbadhoggie

badbadhoggie — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 19:38:55 +0000

It seems to me with all the various sightings etc…all Gruden does is go out and eat at various college towns, he’s seen everywhere and sure eats out a lot!! lol

By: MofromMonroe

MofromMonroe — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 19:13:00 +0000

Dont necessarily agree that the Haslams checkbook wont open wider than Jones, Tyson, etc. This is the reason: I believe the Haslams are primarily responsible for the impetus to hire Dooley. Remember the logistics of the hire. I believe they (Haslams) feel the responsibility of putting the thumb on the scales there and in other places and will come from the hip to fix it. Everyone wants to ask what Dave Hart will do? They are asking the wrong question to the wrong person.

By: BonzaiB

BonzaiB — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 18:34:36 +0000

@TravisChumley Well, from a Gator, you boys can beat up on Lane every day, all day long and we will smile as you do it…..

By: TravisChumley

TravisChumley — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:59:28 +0000

@BonzaiB He doesn’t recruit, he has even said he doesn’t want to. That being said, I don’t think he would have to try as hard as most new coaches given his name and reputation, and the super bowl ring, that helps. It is a pipe dream for both schools anyway, he has ties to Tennessee with his wife and he gives a speech or two there every year, and has in-laws close to Knoxville. I am a Tennessee fan and I would take the risk in his recruiting ability, but it will literally probably never happen. The Gruden to Arkansas talk? That’s just silly. I am putting in for Jim Mora Jr., I think he would be a good fit, Plus he’s already beat that scumbag Lame Kitten so he would be welcomed by UT fans just for that.

By: BonzaiB

BonzaiB — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 14:40:38 +0000

What do you think Gruden’s potential for recruiting is at Arkansas or Tennessee? Seems to me both the Vol and the Razorback programs require the ability to dig deep into other states to survive. The Vols (I’m guessing here) would seem to need the ability to hit the nearby Eastern states (Florida, Georgia and maybe La) and the Razorbacks have to get into Texas and La. Does Gruden have any background that would demonstrate a strong recruiting background in either of these areas?

Mushamp at UF has done a killer job in recruiting (as has the traditional recruiting machines Saban and Miles, along with Spurrier who is very good at the game and needs to get his fair share for the Gamecocks) in the states in the geographic Southeast, and there is Sumlin in Texas (along with the standard recruiting machine of the Longhorns and those pesky Bears, Frogs, Red Raiders, et al).

Just wondering. College teams first need a good coach, obviously, but the long term success for college ball is recruiting, recruiting and more recruiting (seems to me). Any AD worth his salt, especially those at large, highly leveraged institutions, have to be thinking they are one bad, very expensive buyout away from disaster.