NFL Rumor Mill: Head Coach Jon Gruden and Defensive Coordinator Monte Kiffin

by JScott on Oct 17, 2008 3:00 PM EDT in News Comment 3 comments

Rumor Mill is a churning:

There‘s a rumor out there that the Clemson Tigers, who recently fired their Head Coach in Tommy Bowden, have targeted former Raiders Head Coach Lane Kiffin for their vacancy. Big deal right? Well, the word is that in order for Lane to be given the job, he would have to bring his father, Bucs Defensive Coordinator Monte Kiffin, along with him. This rumor makes sense for the simple fact that, who wouldn’t want Monte Kiffin? This news disturbed me and so I took the liberty of contacting my favorite Clemson Tigers blogger, Willy Mac, from Block-C.com, here‘s what he had to say:

"From what I hear, Kiffin & co has been discussed amongst the fans. Terry Don Phillips (our athletic director) hasn't made his list public but judging from his list he made earlier this year with the Bowden/Arkansas hostage crisis, it seems that Bobby Johnson (Clemson grad, Vanderbilt Coach), Will Muschamp (Texas Defensive Coordinator), and Dabo Swinney (Interim Clemson Head Coach) are on his list now... So, I guess no for now on Kiffin." - Willy Mac from Block-C

More from Rumorville U.S.A.:

There‘s a rumor circulating that should the Tennessee Vols fire current Head Coach Phillip Fulmer, that they would then target Buccaneers Head Coach Jon Gruden. This rumor was said to have picked up legs from a Tennessee Titans source with inside information. The sources inside information states the Tennessee Vols are willing to pay Jon Gruden $5 Million a season.

Gruden made $4.3 million in 2007 so I‘m not sure $5 million would be enough to leave Tampa especially considering he just signed a three year extension this off-season for what has to be more money per year. I think Gruden would be an excellent College Football Coach considering his passion for the game and his ability to get the most out of marginal talent, BUT I would worry about his ability to scout blue chip talent on a consistent basis, as he hasn’t brought in the best of talent to Tampa, as the offense continues to rely on the defense pretty heavily. I realize that’s more on Bruce Allen, but we all know Gruden has say on who comes in personnel wise. I would hate to see Gruden go, how about you? If you‘re into the Tennessee Vols be sure to checkout our Tennessee Vols Blog, Rocky Top Talk, Joel does a fantastic job over there…

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Only a guess on my part...

…but I’m going to guess Gruden doesn’t want to be a college coach. It doesn’t seem to me like he’d like recruiting too much. What do you guys think?

by The Bull Gator on Oct 17, 2008 3:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dad and son tandem

I do see them hooking up together sometime in the future, possibly at Tampa. Besides being on the same page MORE than the Gruden – M. Kiffin tag team, the word `Dynasty’ enters the formula, i.e. you don’t get one without the other – perhaps the first father/son duo to be on the playing field together. An owner would have a difficult decision to make, but a perennial loser like Detroit might prove tempting.

by Mac Brock on Oct 17, 2008 5:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Kiffin and Gruden rumors

OK, lets start with Lane… He’s wanted EVERYWHERE in college football. Thank you very much, Al Davis, for another blunder of “Just Win, Baby!” The first rumor that had run rampant was Syracuse. Now seeing Clemson doesn’t surprise me. I expect it to carry further before it’s set and done.

As for Monte, I could see him very much jumping ship. He’s been here since Dungy took over and is the primary reason why the Buc defense became the menace that it was and is.

But 12 seasons in the same place for a coach who has jumped all over the NFL and NCAA just seems like it begs the question “Do I want change? Do I want to be surrounded by my ideal choices?”

I don’t know how Monte feels about the current team direction. I have thought that his fingerprints were heavy on the 2007 draft (thankfully) and a lot of subsequent moves since. The Buc defense he built is in it’s twilight and, as Yoda said, soon night must fall.

I could see him leaving. I could see the Bucs organization vilify him upon doing so… That’s just how things have come to pass the last few years. It went from incredible to shrewd and cold.

Gruden won’t leave unless he gets fired. His contract extension is short – three years — and unless he gets offered big money and other goodies on top of it… I don’t think he will leave. I mean, he has everything he asks for mostly and a GM hand picked for him. He doesn’t like recruiting, he has never seemed to be big on teaching, and he expects his quarterbacks pre-packaged. Not happening.

by John Fontana on Oct 17, 2008 7:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs