04/23/24
January 16, 2009
Gruden is Gone.: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fired head coach Jon Gruden after 7 years of service. GM Bruce Allen was also let go.
I'm sure that just like the movie, Chuckie will be back.
posted by dviking at 08:51 PM on January 16, 2009
I didn't see this coming, but if you don't make the playoffs for several years, then you're on borrowed time.
posted by jjzucal at 09:18 PM on January 16, 2009
When Gruden took them to the championship right away, what got overlooked was the price the team paid to get Gruden.
The Bucs paid too much for Gruden, and the loss of the picks along with the free agency departures thinned the cupboard too much.
But the Glazers accomplished their goal: they obtained a championship regardless of cost.
I don't know how many other franchises want to follow that type of path to one-shot glory.
Gruden seemed to sense this coming even a few years ago. He would mention being run out of town now and then.
If Gruden had stayed in Oakland, he probably would have won a title there, Bill Callahan wouldn't have ruined the Cornhuskers, and Al Davis wouldn't have stunk up the AFC West after squeezing a king's ransom out of the Bucs.
Good thing the Colts didn't know this was coming, or they might have been tempted to see if following Dungy with Chucky was worth trying a second time.
Maybe Gruden thinks about a college job as a next step. Charlie Weis, you better get it done this year or else.
posted by beaverboard at 10:09 PM on January 16, 2009
Dammit, why couldn't this have happened before the Lions hired Schwartz? Gruden woulda been a complete 180 from comatose Marinelli...
posted by MeatSaber at 12:26 AM on January 17, 2009
I think Gruden is a good coach, but he became too huge an icon for winning with a team he didn't even build in Tampa (a team that Tony Dungy should have won with). Don't get me wrong, winning a Super Bowl with any team is a great accomplishment, but the team has become more and more mediocre for years. Losing their last four games, three by blowout, including getting their asses kicked at home by San Diego and, incredibly, the Raiders (who were playing without the best cornerback in football) showed the team not only stunk, but in reality, quit. The guy is going to have to prove he's more than a look-alike of a annoying horror (?) movie doll if he wants to ever be considered a impact-type coach again. And honestly, on another note, anyone who ever, in their life, could honestly be scared by those beyond-stupid Chuckie movies, is embarrassing.
posted by dyams at 09:57 AM on January 17, 2009
good riddance...I hated Gruden...he got a super bowl he didnt deserve and the team went from bad to worse each year...he ruined the career of several players including Chris Simms and I for one am glad he is gone....as a florida resident I can now cheer for the Bucs again...whether they win or lose...good bye chuckie...hope the door hits ya
posted by lindomotorsports at 05:27 PM on January 17, 2009
"I didn't see this coming, but if you don't make the playoffs for several years, then you're on borrowed time."
They made the playoffs last year.
And 2005.
posted by Mr Bismarck at 08:55 AM on January 18, 2009
Gruden will be back roaming the sidelines of some NFL team very, very soon. Don't shed any tears for him.
posted by wdminott at 09:16 AM on January 18, 2009
Mr. Bismarck, you'll note he didn't say "consecutive".
posted by yerfatma at 02:45 PM on January 18, 2009
"Maybe Gruden thinks about a college job as a next step. Charlie Weis, you better get it done this year or else."
According to Worldwide Leader, the University of Tennesee made an inquiry about Gruden replacing Phil Fulmer as head coach. Gruden said no.
Unemployment and a Notre Dame offer could of course make for a different answer.
posted by Newbie Walker at 08:25 PM on January 19, 2009
Pretty surprised by this, but i have to admit that this season's collaspe was terrible. Also, it looks like after he took Dungy's squad to the title in his first year that overall the bucs have eroded under his watch.