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According to various reports over the last few days, including from ESPN's Adam Schefter, Jon Gruden will indeed be the next head coach of the Oakland Raiders. Before it's finalized, however, there are still a number of procedures and questions that need to be worked out.
Along with Gruden's reported stake in Raiders ownership that other league owners must agree to, the team needs to comply with the Rooney Rule that requires organizations to interview minority candidates for coaching vacancies. Given that the Raiders have already decided that Gruden is their man, this will be difficult to accomplish.
In an interview with Jerry McDonald of the Mercury News, the former Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach turned broadcaster did his best to give the illusion that it's far from a certainty that he'll return to coaching in Oakland.
“My understanding is they’re interviewing candidates this week and they’re going to let everybody know sometime early next week or whenever they make their decision,” Gruden said.
Asked specifically if he was a candidate, Gruden said, “Well, I think I am being considered, yes. I hope I’m a candidate.”
According to McDonald, Gruden has already reached out to various coaches for assistant roles. He will reportedly make $10 million a year, double the $5 million Jack Del Rio was receiving before being fired. Along with a stake in ownership, Gruden will have the ability to restructure the front office as he sees fit.
Since the late Al Davis traded Gruden to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prior to the 2002 season, Oakland has employed nine head coaches: Bill Callahan, Norv Turner, Art Shell, Lane Kiffin, Tom Cable, Hue Jackson, Dennis Allen, Tony Sparano, and Del Rio.
