Jon Gruden Sparks Rumors With SEC Coaching Comments

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jeremy Lockett | Last updated Aug 13, 2025 2:50 PM ET

Jon Gruden is making waves in the college football world once again. The former NFL head coach, who won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and resigned from the Raiders in 2021 amid controversy, recently spoke to the University of Georgia football team with his signature intensity.

“I want to coach again. I’d die to coach in the SEC. I would love it. I would f***ing love it,” Gruden said, sparking immediate buzz among fans and analysts alike. His comments reignited the “Grumors,” speculation about where he might return to coaching in one of the nation’s toughest conferences.

Jon Gruden Could Shake Up the SEC Coaching Landscape

The SEC is in a dynamic state, with traditional powerhouses facing new challengers as programs like Texas and Oklahoma have joined the conference. Pressure is mounting on several programs where coaching changes could be on the horizon, and that has put Gruden’s name in the conversation.

Teams such as Arkansas, Mississippi State, Auburn, and Kentucky have all been mentioned as potential landing spots if current coaches were to be replaced. With his Super Bowl pedigree, fiery personality, and reputation for turning teams around, Gruden presents a high-reward option for any school willing to take the risk.

Of course, his past controversies remain a factor, leaving programs to weigh the potential benefits against the baggage he brings. Yet in the cutthroat environment of SEC football, where winning often outweighs everything else, a coach like Gruden could be just the spark a program needs.

Whether he ultimately returns to the sidelines or simply continues to stir conversation from the sidelines, his name alone has already sent ripples through the college football landscape, a reminder that in the SEC, bold moves and high stakes are always part of the game.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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