Jon Gruden won’t be coaching the Texans. But maybe he’ll be coaching the Texas.
According to OrangeBloods.com, Gruden is “open to hearing” from the Longhorns about their vacant coaching job.
Setting aside for now our growing suspicion that someone from Texas is leaking this stuff to Orangebloods.com and other media outlets as a way to make the job look bigger and more attractive than it has become, when it comes to college programs Gruden seems to be far more interested in attracting interest than in actually taking a job.
Gruden knows the best way to stay at the top of the “A” list is to be linked to “A” list jobs. So with Texas reportedly interested in several current NFL head coaches (names on the wish list supposedly include Jim Harbaugh, Mike Tomlin, Sean Payton, Mike McCarthy, Pete Carroll, and Chip Kelly), the absence of Jon Gruden from such a lengthy roster becomes glaring. Especially for Gruden.
The prospect of a Burnt Orange Chucky helps the program and it helps Gruden, who inevitably will be coaching again. As each year passes without Gruden abandoning the broadcast booth, it becomes even more important that he continue to be viewed as an attractive candidate.
Ultimately, Gruden may be indeed bound for Texas. But not Austin or Houston. If/when the Cowboys fire Jason Garrett, Gruden could be the top choice to take over in Dallas.
At a minimum, Gruden will be interested in the Cowboys being interested in him.