It is looking more likely that the Raiders will rehire Jon Gruden as their head coach, according to an ESPN.com report Monday.
ESPN reported Sunday that Oakland was prepared to offer Gruden an ownership stake in the team as an enticement.
On Sunday, the Raiders dismissed head coach Jack Del Rio following Oakland’s season-ending 30-10 loss to the Chargers.
“I don’t want to sit here and speculate,” Gruden told ESPN before the Del Rio firing. “There is no news to report. I can’t say I haven’t taken any phone calls. I take a lot of phone calls from coaches, some others … yeah, sometimes owners. Guys want to bounce ideas off me. I’m here to help people.”
Gruden was hired by Al Davis to coach the Raiders from 1998 through 2001, posting records of 8-8, 8-8, 12-4 and 11-5. Following a loss to New England in the tuck rule game following the 2001 season, Gruden was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for two first-round draft picks, two second-round draft picks, and $8 million in cash.
The Raiders made the AFC championship game under Bill Callahan, but were beaten decisively by Gruden’s Bucs in Super Bowl XXXVII.
The Raiders will be relocating to Las Vegas in the next two seasons.
This article contains information from the Associated Press.
