Monkey Wrench: Bucs fire Jon Gruden
Numerous sources, including ESPN, are reporting the Tampa Bay Bucs have fired head coach Jon Gruden after Jets-like end to the season (read: 9-3 to 9-7).
Gruden was 57-55 as head coach of the Bucs, lead them to playoffs 3 times and won a Super Bowl (with Tony Dungy’s players).
Does this throw a supposed monkey wrench into the Jets’ plans to hire Grimm, Ryan, Schottenheimer or Spags as head coach? Will they now reach out to a big name coach with Super Bowl win on his resume who has history with Favre? Would they try to make up for the Cowher slight by bringing in such an “engaging” personality?
Also, an important question for any head coach candidate: what defense would Gruden bring in? Obviously, in Tampa he inherted Tampa 2 personnel and Monte Kiffin, so he stuck with it, but what would he do with the defensive personnel at hand?
Do you want Gruden? Moreso or less than any of the other candidates? Discuss.
57 Responses to Monkey Wrench: Bucs fire Jon Gruden
-
abdulsalaam says:
Hell yeah! NY needs Chucky. Just the kick butt attitude we need here.
-
Tom says:
Reunite gruden and callahan they had tremendous success on offense with oakland
-
Dan C says:
Absolutely bring Gruden in. He’s a proven coach who knows his stuff, especially w/ quarterbacks. If the Jets are looking to win now, he is the move.
-
Steve says:
Well that would be interesting… certainly does throw a monkey wrench in. He’s won a super bowl, brilliant offensive mind, passionate football guy… I say at leaast they should offer him an interview.
-
Mel31602 says:
Yes I’d like him too… he can work with Favre or with Clemens/Ratliff. You know he loves those young QBs. Or like I said on another post, he can bring Jeff Garcia with him!
-
Drew says:
Adam Schein on SNY was emphatic in saying that Favre “hates” Gruden – he used the word hate. So, that would be one way to push Brett into retirement.
-
Drew, I seem to remember Favre was leaning towards going to the Bucs before Mike Tannebaum talked him into coming here. When did he start hating Chucky?
-
Brandon says:
The jets have been taking their sweet old time hiring a new coach. So, I was beginning to believe the rumors about the indecision and hesitance of Woody and Mike. Now I’m hoping that they’ve just been waiting for Gruden all along. Please bring in Gruden to deliver some much needed discipline to Gang Green.
-
nyckage says:
I only want him if he maintains our 3-4 D, if he wants us to change into a Tampa-2, forget about it
We should at the very least, interview him, and see how things go, and as Drew said it might force Favre to retire for good.
But I still think Ryan is a guy we can’t let our eyes away from or the Rams might steal him from us, then for some reason Gruden takes himself out of the Jets list and we are forced to hire Spags or even worse Schott
-
Yeah nyckage that was my fear too that we would lose Ryan though it looks like the Rams are going to hire Garrett from Dallas (he’s flying to St. Louis as we speak). If he inherited the Tampa 2 he might keep the 3-4 here, especially since he’s an offensive coach- he could hire a 3-4 guy to run the defense.
-
Paul says:
I don’t think I want Gruden. He inherited a Tony Dungy built team, ready for prime time. Granted they were successful once, they never really came close again. He had a fierce D, that lead him there. I’m just not convinced he’s the one.
-
ED says:
I’d say bring him in, let Schot go, and promote Callahan to OC.
-
Yeah the Tampa-2 I think was Monte Kiffin’s thing. Gruden is known as an offensive coach.
-
TimNC says:
I’m with Paul. At this point, I don’t think I’d care for Gruden. He won with a team assembled by others, and they’ve been very up and down since. Haven’t we Jets fans experienced enough every-other-season we’re good stuff? Not saying I’d be mad if they picked him up, but I still feel that Rex Ryan is the best candidate for the Jets of those that have been seriously considered.
-
SackDance99 says:
Gruden, Shanahan and Billick…all arrogant, all have won Super Bowls, and all are known as great offensive minds. I’m not sure that I want any of them, but by waiting the possibility of the Jets hiring a qualified HC has grown immeasurably. Gruden is the real deal and he’s only 45. And, judging from his stints in Tampa and Oakland, he’s a pragmatist on defense and could easily use a 3-4 DC. He’s a West Coast disciple and it appears that either KC or Ratliff could run the West Coast and the Jets’ YAC WRs are perfect for the system. I would consider him a strong candidate if he interviews. I still prefer Rex, but Gruden is a proven commodity. I also think the Rams should make a full-court press for him, so I’m betting that whoever the Jets offer the HC position will accept immediately because the talent pool for the dwindling HC positions has just increased a lot. It’s a buyers market.
-
Guys Let Me Tell You Something !! says:
IF you think you can win the BIG prize just by showing up with your blind date, you are crazy. You have to do some manipulating, my friend
I LOOOOOVE chucky, but DRex is a better fit.. !!
-
DHarvey says:
I cannot stand Gruden..his personality..the constant ‘grimace’ on his face..his arrogance,etc..it’s probably the one and only thing that if the Jets hired him, I’d write off 40 years of loyalty and end my Jet fandom..that’s how much I detest the guy..
-
http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2009/01/jets_not_interested_in_gruden.html
Looks like the Jets want to stick with an unproven guy for some reason. Though I guess the part about a young guy to motivate ttheir young players makes sense, except for the fact that most of their star players are older
-
EddieC says:
rather than worrying, i want to close my eyes for 2 weeks and when i open them, see a new head coach in place. this head coach stuff is giving me a headache
-
schuman says:
I still like Rex first, but Gruden would be my second choice. What would their staffs look like? I can’t imagine Shotty sticking around if Gruden is the coach…
-
Matt says:
This is exactly what the Jets need, someone to come in and not only bring the X’s and O’s, but to also fire up and unite this team, something Mangini failed to do
-
schuman:
You’re talking major and minor leagues here. Schotty is sticking arround for obvious reasons. I believe DRex will pick him as OC.
-
Super T says:
This couldn’t have come at a better time and is EXACTLY what the Jets need. A young experienced head coach who has built one team into a SB contender (Raiders) and won a SB with another (Bucs).
Get him on a plane immediately headed to NY and get him signed Woody!
-
Gruden definitely trumps Rex Ryan. One guy has taken two organizations to the SB. The other guy hasn’t been anything more than a defensive coordinator. Not even close.
Get Gruden!
-
TheRealRK says:
Interesting how everyone wants Gruden as coach yet his team had probably a worst collapse than the Jets. If that collapse happened in NY and not Tampa I bet everyone would be calling for his head.
Gruden won a Super Bowl with Tony Dungy’s players just like Barry Switzer won with Jimmy Johnsons players. Since that Super Bowl the offensive genius has not won anything and has put together lousy Offensive team after team. I’m not running after this guy at all. I think its all style and no substance with Chucky.
-
Harlan Lachman says:
Give the TheRealRK a Kewpie Doll. Why not everyone else gets this I will never know.
harlan
-
swizzle81 says:
I’m with TheRealRK, its all a bunch of fluff with Chuckie. They absolutely had a worse collapse than the Jets this year.
Get Rex Ryan.
-
TOON2388 says:
Gruden is a sham – Eagles & Raiders both laid eggs SIX years ago when he had Dungy’s team. He is 2 games over .500 in years and he inherited a team with final 4 talent. Mangini was 2 games under in 3 years with a lot less talent. Herm was 6 games over .500 after his 1st 4 years and only finished under .500 because he had to play almost all of 2005 with his 3rd & 4th stringer @ QB. If we hire Gruden we are really dumb for firing Mangini, or even Herm for that matter.
-
Crystal Gunns says:
Gruden goes to the playoffs every year and you have to be in it to win it. You guys are nuts if you think Rex Ryan would be a better coach for this team than Gruden.They collapsed because that D is too old,he did more with less this year than ever, they just ran out of gas. Gruden and Callahan & a good DC and we’ll see you in Miami.
-
Famny says:
I am probably still in favor of Rex, but this is very intriguing. Gruden has really always had subpar offensive personnel and done pretty well with it – well enough most seasons. Rich Gannon, Brad Johnson, Jeff Garcia – pls give this man a real QB and see what he can do not that we have one). His tough demeanor and work ethic could be just what the team needs. Of course, if he wants to run a cover 2 d, then no way I would consider him as we have wrong personnel and I am not patient enough for the turnover
-
GANGGREEN says:
I’m not jumpin ship…REX is the man for the JETS..HE has a great football mind,molds draftees into excellent football players,has the fire and discipline to be a head coach and yet has the sensibility to be a players type coach,makes excellent in games decisions and has proven that he can do it for several years not a 1 hit wonder…Look what he has done with the RAVENS defense imagine if he puts some input and creativity on the offensive side of the ball…STAY THE COURSE Mike T and Woody bring in REX and build a championship caliber team for years to come….
-
Alex says:
Get Rex Ryan
1) We can’t keep our D/C, like Gruden did when he came over to Tampa. Which may mean a shift in Defense.
2) We cannot afford a change to a different system and two to three more years of poor trades under Tanni. Well, maybe we can afford it, but I seriously don’t want to deal with it anymore. We have invested to much in time, money and effort to tear down the defense again and build it anew.
3) No other trades or releases, means that we should have a defense that will actually have played together for a full season in the 3-4. Chemistry and knowledge of the system will improve with this experience and help improve the overall defense.
3) We have talented players on this defense, who will shine under Ryan. With Ryan, I think the front seven are ok and our glaring hole on defense becomes the secondary. We need another shutdown CB and a SS. Draft that and I have no doubt that we are a top ten defense next year (once again with Ryan).
Don’t get me wrong though, if we draft a James Lauranitas (as some of the early mocks are predicting), I will be very happy. But we would have to address our secondary at some point.
I was bit upset after we fired Mangini, who got picked up really fast, and then screwed up geeting Cowher. However, in the end, If we were to get Gruden, I wouldn’t be upset either. This a great time, when we get to debate between hiring Jon Gruden, Rex Ryan, or even Steve Spagnola as our next head coach. Lets hope the front office doesn’t do something stupid, like bringing Rich Kotite out of retirement.
By the way, Mangini named each one of his kids after someone important in his football career. With last child being named Brett. After Brett’s screw-ups cost Daddy his job, does the kid have to keep the name Brett?
-
ridinmywave says:
I’m not jumping ship neither, this aint about names your familiar with to bring the jets back to relevance. It seems logical to look in his direction, but rex ryan is the right man for this job as far as us developing an aggressive style of play….ecspecially on defense, gruden does not bring that, and the whole brett favre thing is irrelivant, as far as I’m concerned he is no longer apart of this team.
So let’s go and do what was initially planned and not fall to the hype and miss out on bringing rex ryan here. Hiring gruden is like hiring back mangini with an inherited sb ring. I honestly don’t think bringing in gruden will address the main issues from this season as compared to rex ryan.
I can see it now. You guys are gonna be cursing out the defense, throwing kerry rhodes under the bus again, calling gholston a bust(officially) and jumping of the kris jenkins bandwagon if we bring in gruden,it simply does not address the main issue which was our defense. Ratliff and clemens will develope regardless if gruden is here or not, IF they are good enough. Sorry, I say nay.
-
Dean Barbella says:
Yeah, Tampa’s players seemed to quit on Gruden after Monte Kiffin decided to Monte Kiffin to follow his son Lane Kiffin to Tennessee.
Get Sexy Rexy.
-
RIDIN, I cant wait to see what REX has is store especially for GHOLSTON.I really can see him being a pro bowl caliber player if used to his skill set which is to play the gaps on defense and reek havoic behind the line of scrimmage…I think REX will get the most out of Rhodes,harris,pace,revis,and Ellis…but what i think REX will bring most is stability to this team who played inconsistently week to week even in the games we won….I cant wait to see this Jet defense become an attacking unit,moving players all over the front seven,and blitzing from every angle on the field…REX IS NOT A WANT HE IS A NEED…..
-
Radgrom says:
Let me get this straight. Mangini goes 8-3 finishes 9-7, gets fired and everyone hates him. Gruden goes 9-3, loses the next 4 games and is out of the playoffs. Why the @#$@$%@ do you want HIM as the next coach. We just had that and fired him. Wake up people, Rex Ryan is the answer. Don’t replace a loser with another loser. And don’t give me that crap that he won 2 superbowls. What matters is what happened this year. He couldn’t keep his team on track and lost the last 4 games. I don’t want that as my coach, and I have no idea why anyone else does.
-
JDB says:
hell no, the fans weren’t happy with average coaching, now they want another average coach, 57 -55, screw you Gruden. and the fans that want him.
-
tampa bay’s promoting DC raheem morris to head coach and Bruce Allen to GM…SPAGS is still in contention for the jet HC job..JUST say NO to GRIMM,SPAGS,and GRUDEN….
-
You might wanna check your history RealRK –
Comparing Gruden replacing Dungy to Switzer replacing Johnson is the joke.
Dungy tried for several years to get TB into the SB with “the team he built” and was fired after he couldn’t get them there. TB then gave up some of there top draft picks to get Gruden and he was able to take the team where Dungy didn’t.
That was hardly the situation with Switzer replacing Johnson who wasn’t fired.
-
Radgrom,
Don’t know who hated Mangini. I for one was completely shocked by his firing. But your logic of ‘what happened this year” in the Jets selecting their next coach in itself is kinda ridiculous. Would you want the Jets to pass on Bill Belichick if he were available as well because the Pats didn’t make the playoffs this year? Jon Gruden has the rare commodity of youth, plus SB experience, plus being one of the top offensive minds in the game today. The Jets would be making a huge mistake to not strongly consider him.
-
Super T,
Belichick’s team did not collpase and loose his team down the stretch and did marginally better than the jets and bucs, missing the playoffs were beyond his control when it came down to it. And your talkin of gruden’s supposed “offensive” genius….and if you feel so, what is this addressing? Offense. Was not an issue. So I guess getting gun happy on offense next year, while still rushing 3 linemen on weak defensive scheming spells success for you?
-
I don’t want Gruden solely based on him being one of the top offensive minds in the game today. I want him to be the Jets coach because he is by far and away the best candidate available that I am aware of.
Rex Ryan was my choice until Gruden became available but Ryan has ZERO experience. Gruden who is younger than Ryan and has already revamped a dead Raiders organization and then won a SB with another organization, is there really any comparison between the two?
-
revamped a dead raiders organization?? kinda extreme……so basically your reasoning is just going off of name sake???? what will gruden do for this current team?? what would he bring to the table that would make us better than last year???….since you didnt answer me last time, ill answer it for you…nothing. if we didnt go after shanahan, and billick didnt get an interview, what would make us go after gruden?? as i always say, this is a league of adjustments…what worked with the players you had before wont necessarily work now, thats why he is out of a job, and has meandered away from any respectability since that superbowl win….sapp leaves….simeon leaves…warrick leaves…..lynch leaves….and then you get exposed???
the only reasoning im hearing for gruden is “oh he’s young”….. and ” oh he makes mean faces on the sideline”….and “he’s an offensive guru” and “he’s won a superbowl”(which is a good reason)…but none of this addresses the issues at hand, gruden doesnt fit what our team needs, and when people wanna bring up him being in the superbowl as a plus with his experience…all that really merits is “nerve” as in handling the pressure and not being indecisive……. its not as if you turn your whole gameplan and technique around when you reach the playoffs and sb. so whats the issue?? there have been tons of coaches that have made it and ARE going to make it to the superbowl for the first time, looks good on the resume, but that merits your expertese for ANY team at any given time?? no!
why hasnt anybody called up billick for a job the past two years?? he’s a supposed offensive guru who won a sb…or how about jim fassel??….he brought the giants to the superbowl, but is still a good accomplishment, where has he been since??? why did shanahan get fired??? i dont dislike gruden by any means, but i am also enlightened enough to know that football isnt a popularity contest and its not about whos the best known name on the market, i thought some of you would have learned your lesson from the whole favre foolishness last season…..
i can assure you of what PARTICULAR issues that rex ryan can address in what was wrong with our team this past season as far as x’s and o’s, player accountability and motivation ….can you with gruden???
so when you ask is there any comparison to the two no there isnt as far as accilades, but there is also no comparison as far as who is best fitted for this job right NOW…and thats ryan, case closed.
-
and as for your experience claims…harbough had no experiance prior to this season…not lookin too shabby right now is he?..i mean hopefully his team looses this weekend, and how about tony sparano??…or better yet mike smith??…or better yet ken wisenhunt???
all im saying is that ALL coaches started somwhere and all coaches who prove to be good will make it somewhere. just becuase you made it to the big dance and won 10 years ago with one team doesnt necessarily warrant your going back there to win it again, ecsecially when your out of your comfort zone as far as personnel, players and coaches on your team.
-
dognamedrevis says:
Though Gruden is intriguing, I feel a strong sense of “destiny” with Rex. From the Jet roots with Buddy, to his fit with the 3-4, to his much needed fiery demeanor, I say he’s the one.
Pair him with a young QB (hoping for Ratcliff to win job, but if Clemens, so be it) and I think we are all in for an exciting season. Aggresive D, solid O-line for TJ and QB who is not a train wreck down the stretch is getting me excited. -
or mike tomlin??lol…i kno its his second year, but he’s still wet behind the ears, i think as far as you get your players trust and respect, while showing enthusiasm and character for your organization, your inexperience should hold no consequences. and as far as x’s and o’s…… i wouldnt say that rex ryan has a good defensive mind when it comes to cheming…..or that he’s among the top….but i would go as far to say that he is the BEST defensive guru out there now…..numbers dont lie.
-
go figure……at least mangini got respect and support from his former players…..from what im hearing their popping champaign in that tampa locker room, i heard the players didnt like him and clayton was just on espn blasting gruden on his moral respect in the club house….and this is who some of you morons want??
screw the fluke os a sb win….how about since that fluke of a win almost ten years ago, he hasnt won a single playoff game…efficient huh?
-
Lynne Quido says:
Tampa Bay fans are glad to see him go. Good luck if you get him for a coach. I’m sure he’ll do a great job…especially at the quarterback position. Not.
-
The Jets have been looking for a calming established veteran coach seemingly forever. And after a season where they unexpectedly fire their HC without any apparent game plan as to what they’re going to do to replace him. They now have a golden opportunity to get that GREAT coach they have long been seeking in Jon Gruden fall right into their laps. And to pass up this opportunity by going after a lesser HC without any experience is a travesty!
The Raiders have been the laughingstock of the NFL since Jon Gruden left them. They have gone through a ton of HC’s with Zero experience. Something you want the Jets to choose over Gruden for their vacant position. Tampa Bay couldn’t win the Super Bowl with the great Tony Dungy at their helm for many years. They make the change to Jon Gruden and bam suddenly they win the Super Bowl. There is a overall pattern of winning with this guy. Something you would rather roll the dice with somebody unknown on.
You kinda speak out of both sides of your mouth with your argument points above. You make points about a very few select first year coaches who had success in the NFL, while seemingly ignoring the tons more who haven’t.
How did first year coaches Marvin Lewis and Mike Nolan who also held Rex Ryan’s same Baltimore defensive coordinator spot do when they left Baltimore to become head coaches? Don’t you think that would be a better measuring stick?Jon Gruden 40-28 career record with a laughingstock Oakland Raiders franchise.
Jon Gruden winningest coach in Tampa Bay Bucs franchise history
Jon Gruden career 95 wins and 81 losses
And you want the Jets to hire who?
-
Electric Ham says:
Gruden = OVERATED
I dont want that lil freak here in ny.
-
Joe S. says:
Rex Ryan is the guy for the Jets! HIRE REX RYAN IMMEDIATLY! Make him an offer he can’t refuse!
Did you hear what Gruden’s players were saying about him? Not good!
-
JetsCHUD says:
I agree I think we need to stick with “Not” Sexy Rexy, this whole year is going to be a gamble, we don’t know what we’re doing with QB and we’ll have a new head coach, I’m not expecting the Jets to be in the playoff hunt next year, not because of our personnel, but because of our ridiculously hard schedule and a whole new offense/defense. Granted rookie coaches this year had very impressive seasons, but Ryan seems like a guy who is great at building a team with the players on the field (look at how he used the personnel in Baltimore), and I can’t imagine a defense as complex as the one in Baltimore can be learned in a year. Ryan (hopefully) provides a long term coach, something the Jets haven’t had in quite some time.
-
bringbacktestaverde16 says:
why are we complicating things… the pieces are in place… just hire ryan
-
Bent says: It’s because they can’t until the Ravens season is over!
-
BucsFan says:
You can have Gruden…he’s poison.
-
This is the first time I comment here and I must say you share genuine, and quality information for other bloggers! Good job.
p.s. You have a very good template . Where did you find it?
Yes and bring in crennel as defensive coordinator