MARLER: Grumors return as Jon Gruden eyes SEC coaching comeback

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

By Chris Marler

Every February Punxsutawney Phil walks outside his little makeshift home in the most frigid weather possible and reveals good news or bad news. Six more weeks of winter or an early Spring. We wait for a Groundhog to tell us that news.

I’m not sure of Phil’s record against the spread, or against the sun, for that matter. However, Groundhog Day is much more about tradition and pageantry than accuracy at this point. It’s a staple of early February every year and it signifies spring is near, regardless if that land beaver sees his shadow or not.

Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden has once again set social media ablaze with what seems to be another offseason annual tradition – Grumors. Or, rumors that Gruden will not just return to coaching but do it in the SEC. Tennessee fans have traditionally been the most consistent participants, but after speaking with Georgia’s program last week, Jon Gruden made his intentions clear.

“The only reason I really came here is I want to coach again,” Gruden said during a speaking engagement with the Georgia Bulldogs. “I’m being honest with you, I do not (expletive), either. I want to coach again. I’d die to coach in the SEC. I would love it. I would (expletive) love it.”

Along with outlandish hot takes and offseason rankings and lists that are roasted on social media, this has become a staple of the offseason nowadays.

Maybe there’s more truth to this round of Grumors. He certainly did seem pretty adamant and sincere about it while speaking with the Georgia team and coaches. Gruden has been out of the coaching game since he resigned from the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021. Since then, he’s stayed relevant and in the spotlight by speaking with various teams in offseason camps and even taking a job with Barstool Sports in late 2024.

Maybe Gruden does see his shadow and decides to come back to coaching. What does it really mean right now though? The last drop of offseason “news” to help us pass the time until kickoff is being squeezed out of the bottle. The season is near.