Las Vegas Raiders: The Rise and Fall of former head coach Jon Gruden
By Alex Perl
Las Vegas Raiders: The Rise and Fall of former head coach Jon Gruden
Gruden becomes a television star
In 2009, Gruden was also hired to become a commentator for ESPN, which unknowingly would be the true downfall of the man many had come to admire, unbeknownst to the world at the time. Gruden was still very popular, as his commentary and knowledge of the game were lauded by the world over.
His aggressive and captivating personality led to another notch of success on his belt when in 2014, the network awarded Gruden with an extension through 2021, making him the highest-earning paid personality at the network. The deal also included at the behest of Jon Gruden, a clause that he could back out of the deal if he accepts a coaching offer.
In January 2018, the dream had come true, and in several ways. Gruden had expressed bitterness and disappointment over the years that he never truly got to “finish the job” in Oakland, and had vowed that someday he would return to the Raiders. And that he did.
In January of 2018, the Raiders were now owned by Mark Davis, the son of the late Al who had passed away in 2011. Mark brought back Gruden on a 10-year contract that brought criticism from many media pundits, as the coach had been away from the game for 10 years, and also did not leave the game on his own terms.