Jon Gruden says he almost took the Tennessee Vols coaching job during one of UT's many coaching searches

If you've been a Tennessee Vols fan for longer than 10 years, you're almost certainly familiar with "Grumors". 

During Tennessee's coaching searches in 2012 and 2017, rumors about the Vols' interest in former NFL head coach Jon Gruden flooded the internet. 

Fans would seek out nuggets about Gruden's potential interest in Tennessee like it was a drug. Rumors of secret flights, phone calls with potential assistants, and Gruden's vague references to Rocky Top during Monday Night Football broadcasts only added to the intrigue. 

Very little is known about what went on behind closed doors and how interested the Vols really were in Gruden. 

On Friday, during an appearance on Pardon My Take, Gruden admitted that he nearly "pulled the trigger" on the Tennessee job. 

“My wife cheered at Tennessee. I love Tennessee. I was a graduate coach there, and I did talk to the Athletic Director,” said Gruden. “And I don’t look up to anybody more than I look up to Peyton Manning and Kenny Chesney. Those are two of my favorite Tennessee guys. And I was very interested in doing it.”

“At that time I was having so much fun on Monday Night Football with Mike Tirico I couldn’t take any other job,” added Gruden. “To be in the thought process is always exciting. And hell, Tennessee was one that is really close to my heart. I almost did consider pulling the trigger there.”