Dick Vermeil sees Jon Gruden successfully returning to coaching

December 9, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers former head coach Jon Gruden talks during the presentation of the 10th anniversary of the 2002 Super Bowl Champions during halftime against the Philadelphia Eagles at Raymond James Stadium. The Eagles won 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Former Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden’s name eternally gets brought up when the topic of head coaching returns from current television broadcasters comes up. After all, Gruden is the youngest prominent former NFL head coach who is currently in the broadcasting booth. Something that means his name enters the rumor mill when it comes to returning to coaching more than say, Bill Cowher and Tony Dungy.

So it was no surprise seeing Jon Gruden’s name floated during Dick Vermeil’s recent interview on Sirius XM NFL Radio as ProFootballTalk reported that Vermeil still believes the former Raiders head coach and Super Bowl winner with Tampa Bay will come back to coaching.

Vermeil not only sees Gruden returning, but also sees the current Monday Night Football analyst being a success when he does decided to come back to roaming the sidelines.

From PFT:

"Dick Vermeil was 46 years old when he retired as the coach of the Eagles and went into broadcasting, and then coached the Rams when he was in his 60s and won a Super Bowl. Vermeil thinks Jon Gruden may do the same thing.Vermeil said on SiriusXM NFL Radio that he believes Gruden, who left coaching at age 45 and is now the commentator on Monday Night Football, may eventually come back and succeed as a coach, just as Vermeil did in St. Louis.“No question, he’s a hell of a lot better coach than I am, and a lot smarter,” Vermeil said of Gruden. “I think he would be very successful. I hope he does come back, because I like him a lot.”"

As it stands, Gruden continues to hold back suitors every offseason when teams are looking for a head coach as he is presently enjoying the life of being one of ESPN’s most valuable employees when it comes to on-air personalities. That doesn’t stop Vermeil from believing that Gruden will not only come back, but will also be a success in his return. Could Gruden come back and be a success again in the ranks of NFL head coaches almost a decade later? We will only find out if he does return, until then expect hypothetical discussions like this one every so often.