Even amid a flood of controversy, Gruden remained active in media, later joining Barstool Sports to share his distinctive take on the league. While occasional rumors have linked him to open coaching roles, Gruden appears to be keeping his options open.
During a recent appearance on the Ira Kaufman Podcast, Gruden offered a notable remark about his ambitions.
“I was a broadcaster for nine years; hell’s bells,” Gruden said. “I want to be play-by-play. You know, Frank Gifford transitioned into the play-by-play role. I would like to transition. I had nine years of watching these guys — [Mike] Tirico. And I’d like to give that a shot, man.”
What’s next for Gruden?
Gruden’s observation about switching roles reflects a path that has, at times, followed a similar arc. Frank Gifford spent a stretch on the Monday Night Football play-by-play before moving into an analyst role when Al Michaels joined the broadcast. Gifford later filled in for Michaels in other sports contexts. The takeaway is that broadcasters sometimes pursue multiple roles over the course of a career.
Gruden’s rocky relationship with the NFL could complicate a return to calling professional football games. Nonetheless, college football offers a broad landscape for him to explore if he’s genuinely pursuing the microphone. Given his name recognition, it seems plausible that a network could view such a move as a worthwhile gamble.
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