Jon Gruden Reveals What Really Gets Him Fired Up About Football

Aug 15, 2025 11:16 AM EDT

On a recent episode of Barstool Sports’ Pardon My Take, former NFL head coach Jon Gruden gave fans a glimpse of the competitive fire that made him a Super Bowl-winning leader. When Big Cat asked, “Are you feeling an itch? I saw some quotes. You want to go coach in the SEC. Is this the time of year where you’re like, man, I want to get back out there?”

“This is the best time of year if you’re a coach. I mean, you practice twice a day. You meet all night. Everybody’s undefeated. All the players are competing for jobs. You got a new nucleus of players. You got new free agents, draft picks. It’s just exciting putting your team together, taking the next step. And I’ve had a chance to visit some really cool camps. I can’t wait till we kick it off.”

Gruden’s comments come on the heels of a media whirlwind earlier this week, when he spoke with the University of Georgia football program with his trademark candor. “I want to coach again. I’d die to coach in the SEC.

I would love it. I would f—ing love it,” he told the Bulldogs, sparking immediate buzz across the college football landscape. Analysts, fans, and insiders have quickly revived the “Grumors,” speculating where the 58-year-old might land in one of the nation’s most competitive conferences.

While questions about Gruden’s return are natural given his 2021 resignation from the Raiders amid controversy, the former coach’s star power is undeniable.

A Super Bowl-winning resume combined with decades of television experience makes Gruden an irresistible draw for programs looking to energize fan bases and deliver instant credibility. Much like Deion Sanders college ventures, Gruden’s presence alone could reshape a locker room and generate national attention.

After visiting Georgia and speaking directly to players, the message was clear: Jon Gruden is ready for another shot at coaching, and the college football world is listening. Fans should prepare for what could be the most serious and realistic chapter yet in the long-running saga of “Grumors” this fall.