Gruden fired

[Parkbandit]

Sean got his wish:

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have fired head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Bruce Allen.

The team made the announcement in a two-paragraph statement on its Web site. No successor has been named for either job.

The Bucs won the 2002 Super Bowl under Gruden but have failed to win a playoff game since. They collapsed this season, losing four games in December to finish 9-7 and miss the playoffs. No team in NFL history had missed the playoffs after starting the season 9-3.

"We will be forever grateful to Jon for bringing us the Super Bowl title, and we thank Bruce for his contributions to our franchise," said Buccaneers Co-Chairman Joel Glazer in the statement. "However after careful consideration, we feel that this decision is in the best interest of our organization moving forward."

Gruden was 57-55 in seven seasons as head coach with the Bucs, but was only 45-51 after his initial season. His record still ranks second among seven all-time Bucs coaches. Tony Dungy, the head coach Gruden replaced, was 56-45 in six seasons.

The Bucs are expected to meet with reporters later this evening for updates.

The news caught at least one Bucs regular off guard.

"I was very, very shocked," center Jeff Faine said. "I definitely did not see this coming. I thought we would add a couple of pieces to the puzzle and improve on what we had. I thought we had a solid foundation. Now, we're going to have a complete overhaul."

In 11 seasons as a head coach, including four with the Oakland Raiders, Gruden compiled a 91-77 overall record and his teams won four division titles.

Gruden led the Raiders to a 38-26 regular season mark in his four seasons (1998-2001) with the club, including postseason appearances in 2000 and 2001.

Allen joined the team in Jan. 2004 after nine seasons with Oakland, where he helped guide the Raiders to three AFC West championships.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jan/16/bucs-fire-jon-gruden-bruce-allen/sports-bucs/

[onurb]

I don't hate Gruden, but I am glad to see him go. I believe that it's much harder for a coach of Gruden's age to earn the respect of his players.

I would love for this guy to take over as both coach and GM...

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/3893/billoj8.jpg

[Stunseed]

Gruden should thank Tampa Bay.

They could have fired his ass last week so Detroit could call him like a transsexual hooker on half price night.

[longshot]

They could have fired his ass last week so Detroit could call him like a transsexual hooker on half price night.

Huh?

Try again.

[Ignot]

Gruden was pretty successful and it's late in the game to be firing a head coach so that's a bit suprising. Gruden has been pretty vocal in the past about not wanting to deal with new talent, he just prefers dealing with veterans. I think that's fine when your team is put together but if your going to rebuild then I would think you would want a different coach. Just my opinion.

[Sean of the Thread]

Oh happy day. I wish I had cable so I could listen to Keyshawn go off on him.

[Stunseed]

Huh?

Try again.

Detroit settled for their head coaching hire. If they knew Gruden would have been available, they would not have hired who they did.

[Hulkein]

Goodbye CHUCKIE!

[Sean of the Thread]

I'm not saying gruden isn't a bad coach but he just wasn't right for our team.

He'll be hired faster than shit. Then he can destroy another teams veteran core with his "new talent" bullshit. I mean Garcia should have been playing all fucking year but because of ego problems...

The man does have one serious ego problem. That and he really lost some fans when he quit using Mike who was like a team leader. That's like not putting favre out on the field.

I love he dumped lil Dunn and when he came back YEARS older he still was the same stud. Alstott/Dunn combination dungy had right.

Who knows manybe Shananananagiganahan might be up to bat and we'll see something other than 5 yard outs all game. Hell there is even talk of dungy coming back.

Our defense is getting old tho.. and no offense to the man because he is the man but Brooks is pretty dumb. I've spoken to him irl and of course listened to his shows and man... it's hard to get a complete sentence out of him that makes any sense. But he can play linebacker... just not so sure anymore.

Ronde? may be time to retire too pal. I saw his ankle get broken on so many routes this year.

I dunno I could rant AND give praise forever on all sides forever.

IMHO when we lost Rich McKay and Dungy it was going to be shit. AND in my opinion gruden won with what they built prior that first year.

Oh wells. I used to wear creamsicle jerseys back when they really sucked and I'm not changing my flag ever.

[bretlee]

I am saying Jon Gruden is a good coach and his decision always right.

[Danical]

wow.

[Sean of the Thread]

rofl bot bumped the chucky thread.

son of a bitch

[BigWorm]

I am saying Jon Gruden is a good coach and his decision always right.

I find your ideas interesting and wish to subscribe to your newsletter

[Parkbandit]

Chucky's ALIVE!!

Jon Gruden intends to coach again, but until that day, the man known throughout the NFL as "Chucky" will get to sharpen his teeth in ESPN's "Monday Night Football" booth.




Gruden

Gruden will join play-by-play man Mike Tirico and analyst Ron Jaworski in September, replacing Tony Kornheiser.

"This is a tremendous opportunity and I am very excited to be associated with ESPN and Monday Night Football," Gruden said in a statement released by ESPN. "I grew up a fan of Monday Night Football, and whether I've coached on Monday night or watched, I've hardly missed a game all these years.

"To join Mike and Jaws in the booth and to work alongside this top-notch team is going to be a real thrill."

The 40th season of "Monday Night Football" kicks off Sept. 14 with a doubleheader; the New England Patriots play host to the Buffalo Bills at 7 p.m. ET and the San Diego Chargers visit the Oakland Raiders at 10:15 ET.

Kornheiser decided to step down after three years of MNF, citing his fear of flying.


NFL.com Video

A collection of the best sound bites from Jon Gruden.

"I am totally grateful for the MNF opportunity that I truly enjoyed the last three seasons," he said. "I feel we got better each year. My fear of planes is legendary and sadly true. When I looked at the upcoming schedule it was the perfect storm that would've frequently moved me from the bus to the air. I kept looking at the schedule the past month and wanted to find a way to quietly extricate myself."

"If I could handpick a replacement of a football guy, I would cast a net and drag in Jon Gruden," Kornheiser added. "He is the two things you most want -- smart and funny -- and has the two things I don't -- good hair and a tan. I love PTI and am looking forward to continuing to yammer and yodel with Wilbon until the end of time."

Gruden was fired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Jan. 16 and replaced by defensive coordinator Raheem Morris just weeks after a season-ending loss to the Raiders cost the Bucs a possible playoff spot.

At 60-57 in seven seasons, Gruden was the winningest coach in Bucs history and led Tampa Bay to victory in Super Bowl XXXVII. He also has coached the Raiders.

Gruden's first MNF appearance will come in an Aug. 13 preseason game that doubles as a Super Bowl rematch between the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers. Following four preseason games, Gruden, Tirico and Jaworski will call Bills-Patriots on Sept. 14.

"I can't express how much I enjoyed working with Tony the past three years," Tirico said. "It was a professional experience that I enjoyed and a lasting friendship that I will treasure. I think all of us on the show are better for the time we spent working with Tony.

"Looking ahead to this season, I am excited to welcome Jon to 'Monday Night Football.' Every time you are in his company, you come away so impressed by his energy and passion for the game. He will be a perfect fit with our group."

Gruden began his NFL coaching career in 1990 when Mike Holmgren, then offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, hired him as an assistant in charge of quality control. Gruden quickly ascended through the ranks by learning the famed West Coast offense pioneered by longtime 49ers coach Bill Walsh.

When Holmgren left the 49ers to become head coach of the Green Bay Packers in 1992, he named Gruden the Packers' wide receivers coach. After three seasons in Green Bay, Gruden moved on to become the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive coordinator under head coach Ray Rhodes. In 1998, Gruden was chosen by Oakland owner and general manager Al Davis to be the Raiders' new head coach at the age of 34.

A native of Sandusky, Ohio, Gruden grew up in a football family. His father, Jim, served as an assistant at Notre Dame in the late 1970s and later with the Buccaneers. Gruden graduated from the University of Dayton, where he was a backup quarterback. After graduation, he started his career as a graduate assistant at Tennessee in 1986. He also served as the quarterbacks coach at Southeast Missouri State (1987-88), and the wide receivers coach at both Pacific (1989) and Pittsburgh (1991) in the college ranks.

Gruden worked as a guest analyst earlier this year with the NFL Network during the NFL draft and scouting combine.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4174469

[Drew]

I don't think Kornheiser voluntarily resigned. A lot of people didn't like him in the booth, I enjoyed him, especially the first season when he would call out the Tirico or Jaws more when they said something stupid but you always got the feeling Jaws never appreciated someone who hadn't played football calling him out.

[Latrinsorm]

This is a tough break for the NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE. There's really no need to have two football guys in the booth, I see a lot of toe-stepping and thinly veiled hatred (a la Marv Albert and Mike Fratello) coming. Tony and Jaworski seem to be friends off camera which really translated well when they would bust each others' chops.

[Sean of the Thread]

I think Gruden will be one hell of a booth commentator. If anything he's got personality.

I also like Jaws and Tirico. Should be intersting

I'll also say that my favorites are Boomer and the late great Haray Carray. (which I'm sure the Japanese fans love...)

[Sean of the Thread]

This is a tough break for the NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE. There's really no need to have two football guys in the booth, I see a lot of toe-stepping and thinly veiled hatred (a la Marv Albert and Mike Fratello) coming. Tony and Jaworski seem to be friends off camera which really translated well when they would bust each others' chops.




That and Gruden has one hell of a serious fucking ego. It's going to be interesting.

[Drew]

There's no need for a 3 man booth period.

[BigWorm]

I think Gruden will be one hell of a booth commentator. If anything he's got personality.

I also like Jaws and Tirico. Should be intersting

I'll also say that my favorites are Boomer and the late great Haray Carray. (which I'm sure the Japanese fans love...)

The Boomer? Really? Please tell me you are making a joke.

[Skeeter]

Gruden will be awful because he will be terrified of saying anything about a future employer that would reflect negatively on him.

There's no way he pulls a Madden and never coaches again. He's just doing this to kill time while he interviews for a new job.

[Sean of the Thread]

The Boomer? Really? Please tell me you are making a joke.


Fucking Berman is the man. Nuff said.

(and he's a notorious Bucs fan)