Gruden @ TN

[BigPoppa]

Here's what we know:

Gruden was a GA at Tennessee under Johnny Majors. He has an admitted sentimental attachment to Rocky Top. His wife was a Tennessee cheerleader, and her parents still live in East Tennessee. Jon and Cindy Gruden own property in East Tennessee.

Here's what I have gleaned after spending the last week in East Tennessee:

A deal is on the table, agreed upon in principle by both parties, an 8 year contract worth $ 54 million. The Haslam family has also chipped in an ownership share of the Cleveland Browns for Gruden, the Browns of course, being the newest Haslam family business venture.

Gruden is waiting out his Tampa Bay buyout payments, which conclude in early December.

Gruden is assembling a top shelf staff, including Raheem Morris. His staff will firm him up on NCAA rules, recruiting, and the like.

Gruden and Dooley are close. Gruden has made it clear he wanted some "buffer" between his announcement and Dooley's firing, to avoid further embarrassment to Dooley.

The big money (and I mean [b]big [/b]money) donors and boosters have instructed Dave Hart to back up the Wells Fargo truck to Gruden's house and make this happen.

The issue of "control" is being used as a smokescreen. Gruden will have football program say-so over any and every thing he wishes, short of any academic regulations or NCAA rules violations. Carte Blanche.

Yes, Gruden has it made at ESPN, but is itching to get back on the sidelines. The only college job he is even considering is Tennessee. He quickly thanks but no thanksed Arkansas (notice he has not done this to Tennessee). If he doesn't come to Tennessee, he goes back to the NFL

Johnny Majors and Peyton Manning have aggressively lobbied Gruden to take the job.

There is a University of Dayton (Gruden's alma mater) annual alumni event this Saturday. Gruden has spoken at this event every year for the last 9 years. He has cancelled this year with a vague "scheduling conflict" excuse. His replacement speaker, Chuck Noll, let slip that "I guess Jon will be in Knoxville next weekend..."





'tis all I know......YMMV