Jon Gruden On Raiders’ Job: “I Hope I’m A Candidate”

Jon Gruden tells Jerry McDonald of Mercury News that it’s his understanding that the Raiders will interview some candidates this week before making a decision regarding their new head coach.

“My understanding is they’re interviewing candidates this week and they’re going to let everybody know sometime early next week or whenever they make their decision,” Gruden said.

“Well, I think I am being considered, yes. I hope I’m a candidate,” Gruden said when asked specifically if he is a candidate.

All indications are that Gruden is going to be next head coach of the Raiders, barring a surprising turn of events.

A few days ago, Adam Schefter mentioned on Sportscenter Sunday evening that it’s clear from the Raiders’ decision to fire HC Jack Del Rio that they’re going to hire Gruden as their next head coach.

“It’s that simple. You don’t make that move with Jack Del Rio unless you know you can get Jon Gruden,” Schefter said. “Jon Gruden is going to be the next head coach of the Oakland Raiders. The only question is when it happens.”

Schefter says that Raiders owner Mark Davis is preparing to make Gruden an offer that he can’t turn down.

ESPN reported Saturday that the Raiders were targeting Gruden and attempting to lure him back to the NFL by offering over $10 million per year and possibly an ownership stake in the franchise, which would qualify as an offer that Gruden couldn’t turn down.

There was a lot of buzz about Gruden returning to the NFL, but with the Buccaneers. However, Tampa Bay surprisingly elected to keep Dirk Koetter in place as their head coach, which implied that talks with Gruden went in a different direction.

It will be interesting to see how quickly things play out regarding the Raiders’ head coach position.

Gruden, 54, began his head coaching career with the Raiders back in 1998. He was actually traded to the Buccaneers in 2002 after years in Oakland.

During Gruden’s 11-year coaching career, he posted a record of 95 and 81 (.540) to go along with four division titles and a Super Bowl Championship with the Buccaneers.

We’ll have more regarding Gruden and the Raiders as the news is available.