FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Jon Gruden became the center of a viral moment Wednesday after receiving a generous care package from the Arkansas Razorbacks equipment team and head coach Sam Pittman.
As he unboxed the gift, Gruden reminisced about coaching former Razorbacks in the NFL, shared stories of Arkansas players his father once coached, and highlighted the close connections he’s built with people linked to the Razorbacks program.
Jon Gruden also reflected on lessons he learned from legendary Arkansas coach Frank Broyles, including the mantra, “what you see on film is what you coach”—a philosophy that still resonates with him today.
The idea of Gruden taking over as a college football head coach has long captured the imagination of fans across the country. His name has routinely surfaced whenever a major program had a coaching vacancy, fueled by his Super Bowl-winning leadership with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and charismatic presence as a color commentator.
Following the firing of former Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino, Razorback fans watched Monday Night Football with unusual intensity—scrutinizing Gruden’s tie color for any hidden clues that might link him to the job.
Gruden expressed his deep admiration for the Arkansas football program during an interview with David Bazzel at the Little Rock Touchdown Club. The appearance marked his first public sit-down interview since his departure from the Las Vegas Raiders.
There were some early conversations between Jon Gruden and former Arkansas athletics director Jeff Long, but they never progressed beyond the exploratory stage. At the time, Gruden had just inked a lucrative new deal with ESPN, making him one of the highest-paid personalities at the network.
“I was concerned about being a college coach because I would have ya on the death penalty probation within six months,” Gruden joked. “But now that you’re paying players—and I know a bank with \$27 billion—I’d love to have the Arkansas job, I’ll tell you that.”
Back then, Arkansas football was in a rough patch, making it a tough sell for someone like Gruden. But with the rise of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals, the landscape has changed dramatically—opening the door for high-profile names like Gruden to consider college football more seriously.
Ultimately, Jeff Long opted to hire Bret Bielema, the successful Wisconsin coach known for his physical “bully ball” approach, bringing him to the SEC in 2013 with a contract worth \$3.2 million per year.
Bret Bielema’s time at Arkansas saw flashes of potential, with the program hitting a few breakthrough moments during his tenure. However, the Razorbacks struggled to sustain momentum, ultimately leading to his dismissal in 2017 with a 29-34 overall record.
On a more serious note, Jon Gruden recently took part in the prestigious Manning Passing Academy, held at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. There, he worked closely with both high school and college quarterbacks, sharing his NFL expertise and passion for the game.
Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green attended the camp as a counselor and even managed to grab a photo with the Super Bowl-winning coach, marking a memorable moment during the weekend event.
From one quarterback whisperer to another, Arkansas offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino is poised to help Taylen Green elevate his game even further. After a productive weekend at the Manning Passing Academy, Green now has the opportunity to apply those lessons as he prepares for what could be a breakout senior season.
In his first year with the Razorbacks, Green racked up 3,756 yards of total offense and 23 touchdowns. Expectations are even higher this season as he continues to develop under Petrino’s watchful eye.
“It’s more than what I expected \[working with Petrino], it feels like I’m in the classroom,” Green said. “Every single day, just learning. Defensive fronts, linebacker alignment, safety rotation. Learning why certain plays work for certain coverages, checks and freedom because he trusts me with the offense.
“That’s something I appreciate and don’t take for granted.”
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