ESPN Responds To Report Jon Gruden Wants To Coach In 2012

One Arkansas television station says that Jon Gruden has been offered the head coaching job of the Arkansas Razorbacks. Although if their reporting is correct, we’ll never know, as the station says that Gruden is an extreme long shot to accept the position.

Jim Harris of Little Rock CBS affiliate KTHV says that three sources confirmed to him that the university has put out an offer to the Monday Night Football analyst in hopes of finding a replacement for interim coach John L. Smith, who has been in charge at Arkansas since the April firing of Bobby Petrino. There was no indication of the length or terms of the potential deal. This follows up on Jason La Canfora and others reporting interest.

Gruden is currently under contract with ESPN, who issued a statement to Pro Football Talk regarding Gruden’s future.

What’s interesting is that we still haven’t heard a firm denial from Gruden himself. A report has connected him to coaching in 2012 and ESPN says it’s not true -- but where’s Gruden in all of this?

Acee has been talking about the Rams’ interest in Smith for some time so this isn’t totally new. The bit about Gruden potentially being involved is the new information. It’s well known that Smith and Gruden have a good relationship.

Gruden has long been one of the A-list coaches during hiring season but he hasn’t shown an interest in getting back into coaching since the Bucs fired him following the 2008 season. He took the ESPN job in 2009.