Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden has expressed interest in a drastic career change, revealing a desire to transition from his current role as a sports analyst to a play-by-play commentator. Gruden, who has worked for Barstool Sports since 2024, made the announcement on The Ira Kaufman Podcast, citing his nine years of experience watching play-by-play announcers as a key factor in his decision.
"I was a broadcaster for nine years; hell's bells," Gruden said on the podcast. "I want to be play-by-play. You know, Frank Gifford, he 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." Gruden's experience as a broadcaster dates back to 2009, when he joined ESPN's "Monday Night Football" team as an analyst. He worked for the network for nine years, before taking a hiatus to coach the Buccaneers and then the Raiders.
Gruden's interest in play-by-play commentary is not a new development, as he has been open about his desire to transition into the role in the past. In an October 2025 interview on "Pardon My Take," Gruden stated, "I absolutely love football. I love it, and it's pretty much all I have. I have an office, for the people who don't know, I've got a server in there. I just put a lot of money into a server that collects all the films and allows me to study them. Who knows what will happen, but I'm preparing myself as always to coach." However, it remains unclear whether Gruden's desire to transition into play-by-play commentary signals the end of his coaching career.
Gruden's coaching future is uncertain due to his ongoing lawsuit against NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Gruden alleges that the NFL and Goodell led a "malicious and orchestrated campaign" by leaking emails that forced him to resign from the Raiders in 2021. The backlash from the leaked emails, which included homophobic and misogynistic language as well as controversial comments about people in the league, pushed Gruden out of the football world completely before he joined Barstool in 2024. Despite the lawsuit, Gruden has continued to work in the football industry, producing a variety of content for Barstool, including a YouTube show and podcasts. As Gruden navigates this new chapter in his career, it remains to be seen whether he will ultimately pursue a career in play-by-play commentary or return to the coaching world.
Source: NYPOST