The Los Angeles Rams have begun their coaching search after firing Jeff Fisher last week, and they've reportedly set their sights on former Buccaneers and Raiders coach Jon Gruden. The current Monday Night Football commentator has been out of coaching since 2008 and hasn't showed much interest in returning to the sidelines in years past when he was a candidate for several openings.
It seems things haven't changed this time around, either, with Gruden expressing his disinterest in coaching an NFL team again. He addressed the rumors on ESPN's "Mike and Mike" Wednesday morning.
"I love football. I've said that a million times and I just want to say I'm very happy doing what I'm doing," Gruden said. "My full attention and focus is on the Cowboys-Lions. I cannot wait for our final Monday night game. There's a lot of chips on the table. But right now, I have no intentions of coaching. I really enjoy what I'm doing and I feel like I'm really close to the fire. I'm getting plenty of satisfaction out of doing what I'm doing."
Gruden is an obvious candidate for the Rams. Owner Stan Kroenke is a big spender and needs a recognizable name to lead his franchise in the spotlight of Los Angeles. Ticket sales are down, the Coliseum is empty and the team is in disarray -- and has been for years.
Jeff Fisher wasn't the offensive-minded coach the Rams needed, but Gruden might have the experience and fire to take Los Angeles to another level. While he hasn't been a coach for nearly a decade, Gruden is a proven winner in the NFL, having won a Super Bowl and double-digit games four times in 11 seasons.
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