Las Vegas Raiders: The Rise and Fall of former head coach Jon Gruden

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 14: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Las Vegas Raiders exits the field during a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 20-7. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 14: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Las Vegas Raiders exits the field during a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks at Allegiant Stadium on August 14, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 20-7. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 26: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Las Vegas Raiders walks to the field before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium on September 26, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – SEPTEMBER 26: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Las Vegas Raiders walks to the field before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Allegiant Stadium on September 26, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

The Las Vegas Raiders gave Jon Gruden $100 million to return them to glory, but instead, he had an incredible fall from grace.

It was the early part of January 2018 when it was finally announced, the return of Jon Gruden as head coach for the Raiders.

Raider Nation was elated to restore glory back into its dreaded current state, even if the 10-year,$100m contract Jon Gruden was awarded was not to everyone’s taste. Nevertheless, the Raiders had got their main, and the re-arrival of “Chucky” was officially underway.

What even led to that point was a bizarre twist that had not really been seen in NFL history. However to even get to that point in this strange tale, we have to understand just who Jon Gruden is, or.. was.

Jon Gruden was born In Sandusky, Ohio, and grew up a Cleveland Browns fan. He was around the game of football his entire life, introduced to the sport by his father. Gruden’s father Jim was a talented high school quarterback whose entire life revolved around football. He was an assistant football coach for 15 years at the collegiate level with stops at the University of Dayton, Indiana, and Notre Damn to name a few.

This passion for the game was passed on to Jon. After playing one season at Muskingum college, Gruden transferred to the University of Dayton, and despite spending the next three seasons as a backup at quarterback, it did nothing to dampen his burning desire for the game.

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