the thing about Gruden and UT is romance... i've argued with people (recently) and don't know why they can't get it through their heads that UT is trying to land him. that isn't supposition, that is fact. There was talk that went nowhere prior to Kiffin, then talk that ended pretty quickly before Dooley... now, there is talk yet again.
that doesn't mean Gruden is talking with UT.... from all gathered intel, it's a one way conversation. It's supposed Gruden used threats last time to enhance his contract with his media job. who knows. maybe that is the case now, too... maybe it's all bullshit. honestly, the talks are stemming from the lack of official talk...
y'all realize the talk is in despair, right? the sentiment is not a long term solution but something that will do until the long term solution presents itself- and during that period, not sustaining any additional damage. Name recognition alone will draw players and young coaches. The supposition and allure is fairly simple: he'll bring recruits instantly and he'll bring the coach who replaces him, and likely who replaces him in likely less than three years.
for those reasons^, i get the passion surrounding the romance of gruden as a coach.... but there may be a solution available right now that sidesteps all of that. those names are on the list of people pseudo 'close to the program' who have relayed their pursuit.. Patterson, who was jilted prior to the Kiffin hire, who was interested then but not later (prior or Jones hire, likely due to admin at the time which was horrid at that point). Gundy has been mentioned, Stillwater anchor or not, apparently the admin and Gundy have had their altercations... he flat turned UT down in '12. again, because the admin were clowns. Petersen has been mentioned.. I consider these my (as if my opinion matters) 'dream hires'... i've no clue about the likelihood. Fisher was mentioned. Steele, the AD at Auburn was mentioned. The current DC at Bama is apparently shopping, and he's been mentioned. Of course Miles and Kelly have been mentioned, along with Frost.
I like Frost, but he's another 'chance' hire. UT/UF/Nebraska may kick themselves in a few years for looking past him, but in UT's position specifically, the time for 'experiments' is past. I think he'd be a great hire in Lincoln, as a returning red hot star of a son, and they aren't really in that bad of a position and can likely afford the gamble UT certainly can't, and UF likely shouldn't. That leaves Kelly- and who I believe is a far better fit for UF than for UT. Mullen is going to be a sexy hire for an unsexy machine he'd likely build- methodical and lumbering and absolutely capable of carrying the water, but not a draw for hot chics. The guy from SMU and Memphis have been volleyed, as Fuente from VT seems to be a target schools with helmetosity think they can steal from VT... the DC from Clemson is wearing a target for someone... Folks keep talking about Jim Bob Cooter as a possibility for UT, and for other college programs- the thoughts being the OC is ready for a college head job as a stepping stone to later pro HC..
lots of speculation out there... not enough official talk released... which breeds more speculation that get's wilder and wilder as the quiet grows on the other side... it's cult like how quickly these things grow legs and how strongly people believe in their own reasoning- that can't be disproved so long as one side is quiet, or if the target straight up denies it... and even then, folks will point ot Saban leaving the dolphins as cause not to believe even that.
