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Jon Gruden is officially back as the Oakland Raiders’ head coach. His contract with the Raiders is reportedly worth enough to probably fund his own mini-space program: $100 million for 10 years. Apart from that, it was also rumored that the Raiders offered Gruden an ownership stake just to lure him out of the broadcasting booth and put him back on the sidelines.
Gruden, however, has refuted the scuttlebutt, saying during Tuesday’s introductory press conference as head coach of the Raiders that he will not receive a stake on the team as part of the lucrative deal.
Jon Gruden confirms he will not receive an ownership stake in the Raiders as part of his deal, doesn't address reported $100 million number.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) January 9, 2018
In any case, Gruden’s return to the Raiders is big news in football. Gruden last coached in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in the 2008 season. Prior to that, he mentored the Raiders for four seasons from 1998 to 2001.
In 11 years of total head coaching experience to date, Gruden has a regular season record of 95-81-0. In the playoffs, he is 5-4, which includes a Super Bowl win with the Bucs the season after he left Oakland.
In Gruden’s first stint with the Raiders, he was able to steer the team to back-to-back playoff appearances in the 2000 and 2001 seasons, respectively. Meanwhile, the last game Gruden coached the Raiders was the 2001 AFC Divisional contest against the New England Patriots otherwise known as “The Tuck Rule” game.
Gruden will not have a lack of talent to work with on his return to Oakland. The Raiders have a franchise quarterback in Derek Carr, while Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper will lead the receiving corps. The defense, on the other hand, is anchored by defensive end Khalil Mack.
