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'Just Seems So Right': ESPN Analyst Predicts Which College Football Job Jon Gruden Could Land

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Cole Sullivan | Last updated Aug 11, 2025 3:23 PM ET

It’s no secret that former NFL and Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden has a strong interest in returning to coaching since departing the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021.

While Gruden has become a popular figure at Barstool Sports and remains well-connected and involved in football, his name has been mentioned as a candidate for several potential openings—both in the NFL and at the collegiate level.

On Monday, ESPN analyst Peter Burns shared his ideal fit for Gruden, saying that, in his view, it “just seems so right.”

That school is the Virginia Tech Hokies, a program with a rich history of success in the sport. However, in recent years under head coach Brent Pry, the team has struggled to regain its former relevancy.

"Virginia Tech HC Jon Gruden just seems so right for 2026," Burns posted.

Virginia Tech HC Jon Gruden just seems so right for 2026.
— Peter Burns (@PeterBurnsESPN) August 11, 2025

Brent Pry is entering his fourth season as head coach of the Hokies and has lost six or more games in each of his first three seasons, compiling a 16-21 record with two bowl appearances and a 1-1 record in those postseason games.

There’s no clear indication yet that Pry’s time at Virginia Tech is coming to an end. However, if the team struggles again this season, conversations about his future are almost certain to arise. With Gruden eager to return to coaching, there would be few more electric sights than seeing him run out to “Enter Sandman” before Hokies games.

John Gruden coming out to Enter Sandman with the boys sound pretty epic not gonna lie…
— Buckeye Irrationalist (@BuckeyeRational) August 11, 2025

Gruden recently spoke with Georgia’s football program and, in the heat of the moment, said he’d love to coach in the SEC. Still, if an opportunity opened up in the ACC, it would be quite shocking for him not to entertain it.

"The only reason I really came here is I want to coach again," Gruden said during a speaking engagement with the Georgia Bulldogs. "I'm being honest with you, I do not [explicit], either. I want to coach again. I'd die to coach in the SEC. I would love it. I would [explicit] love it."

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

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