Here we are. Another round of “Grumors” are about to fire up Vol fans as Tennessee continues their search for a new head football coach.
Former UT-Chattanooga athletic director David Blackburn sat down with Stephen Hargis of the Times Free Press to talk about Tennessee and his relationship with the one and only Jon Gruden. And his insight is sure to get Vol fans who want Gruden as Tennessee’s next head coach very excited.
“He and I communicate from time to time,” Blackburn said of Gruden. “I would definitely think he’s a viable option. He’s a guy who loves coaching and loves Tennessee.
“Our history is probably the reason we get along so well. My dad was a coach in a small town and Jon is a rural Ohio guy whose dad was a coach, so we’re just two good ol’ boys who like to talk football.”
Blackburn developed a relationship with Gruden while both worked for the University of Tennessee back in the 1980s. Gruden was a graduate assistant for the Vols while Blackburn was a student manager at the time. Both have kept in contact over the last 30 years and have remained friends according to Blackburn.
And also according to Blackburn, Gruden would at the very least listen to an offer should the Vols extend one to him.
“I can’t sit here and say he will take it if offered, but I do think he would listen,” Blackburn stated. “Tennessee is like home for him and he’d be a great fit.”
Blackburn would go on to detail what he thinks a Jon Gruden-led Vols squad would look like.
“If Jon is hired, he would surround himself with an incredible staff and some guys who have a history at Tennessee and understand what makes that program so special,” Blackburn added.
There are already reports that Gruden has reached out to some former Vols about potentially joining his staff should he accept the position at Tennessee. And Hargis states that “multiple sources have confirmed” that Gruden has done that as well. He cites that former All-SEC linebacker and current Appalachian State defensive coach Dale Jones is one of those coaches, as is former Vol offensive coordinator Randy Sanders. As of now, Sanders is the co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Florida State.
Hargis also states that another source said Gruden has spoken with Blackburn himself about being a member of the program’s support staff should he take the job.
Those who doubt Gruden’s ability to coach in college often point to the fact that Gruden has never recruited and is reported to have little interest in doing so. But according to Blackburn, Gruden understands those responsibilities and would do “a great job” still.
“I know he likes his lifestyle working with ESPN,” Blackburn told Hargis. “He knows the amount of time and work it’s going to take and the travel for recruiting. I have absolutely no doubt he would do a great job. Everybody knows to win in college you have to be able to recruit, you have to pour yourself into the job and you have to know how to coach the game. Jon would be great at all of those. This is a guy who wakes up at 4 a.m. and his fire is already blazing hot to get to work. He’s tireless.
“He’s a great communicator and motivator. You can’t not be fired up about the game when you’re around him as a player or a coach.”
As for how Tennessee would respond if they can’t land Gruden? Blackburn wasn’t sure, but he doesn’t think the talk with Gruden is done just yet.
“I’m not sure which direction they will go if it doesn’t work out,” Blackburn stated. “There are a lot of other good candidates out there and I know they would get a great one, but I certainly don’t think anything has been decided as far as Jon not taking the job.”
