Nick Saban is officially not an option for the Texas Longhorns. After much speculation, the Alabama head coach has agreed to a contract extension with the Crimson Tide and will stay put in Tuscaloosa. Mack Brown is officially stepping down after the Alamo Bowl, leaving the Longhorns to begin one of the most highly publicized coaching searches of the offseason. As the team building their wish list of candidates, one surprising name has emerged.
Could Texas be the team that lands Jon Gruden? The former NFL coach turned ESPN Monday Night Football analyst has been the biggest tire kicker for teams over the past few season. Every time a team is in search of a new coach, his name is the first to emerge, especially in college. The Tennessee Volunteers tried to get him. USC made an offer. Could the Longhorns be the landing spot?
The Dallas Morning News reports Gruden has interest in the Texas job. Orangebloods.com reports that Grudens name is on the short list of serious candidates because the city of Austin appeals to the coach and Texas is one of the premier coaching jobs in all of college football. Sources report he is open to hearing from the team, but Texas has yet to make an official contact to Gruden.
The Longhorns athletic director has said he wants someone with college coaching history. Gruden was an assistant at Tennessee before coaching at both Pacific and Pittsburgh. He then made the jump to the NFL, winning a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay.
Gurden's interest comes after Charlie Strong takes his name off the list of candidates. The Louisville head coach was considered a top candidate, but he told reporters on Tuesday that he has no interest in the job. Strong's appeal comes after he turned the Cardinal program into contenders while coaching up top NFL draft prospect, Teddy Bridgewater.
Also likely not an option for Texas is Jim Harbaugh. The San Francisco 49ers head coach is an obvious choice because of his history and success at Stanford before taking over in the NFL. Texas had heard reports he was unhappy in the NFL, but the San Jose Mercury News is reporting Harbaugh is preparing to sign a new contract extension that would give him more power with the franchise. There were reports of "creative tension" with Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke, but this extension would solve some things.
Chip Kelly is also crossing his name off the list of contenders. The former Oregon coach, first-year Philadelphia Eagles coach says he has no interest and is simply focused on making the Eagles a better team for the future.
All of this is certainly subject to change. The Longhorns are prepared to make a coach very rich. They will do whatever it takes to get the biggest and best name available, no matter the price tag. If Gruden has even the slight amount of interest, the Longhorns will jump.
