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Jon Gruden spotted in Tennessee with Vols alum Peyton Manning

By George Stockburger

SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 24: Jon Gruden head coach of the NFC Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers answers questions during a press conference on January 24, 2003 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers will face the Oakland Raiders in Superbowl XXXVII on Sunday January 26, 2003 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - JANUARY 24: Jon Gruden head coach of the NFC Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers answers questions during a press conference on January 24, 2003 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. The Buccaneers will face the Oakland Raiders in Superbowl XXXVII on Sunday January 26, 2003 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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Rumors connecting Jon Gruden to the Tennessee Volunteers job are growing stronger

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach and ESPN color commentator Jon Gruden was reportedly spotted down the street from the University of Tennessee.

Staff at the popular Calhoun’s barbeque reported to management that Gruden was eating with former Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning and a large party. The specific location is just two miles down the road from the Volunteers campus.

The restaurant later stepped back on their statements that Gruden was at the restaurant, saying they’re no longer confirming Gruden was in town.

However, this picture looks very much like Gruden with Manning.

Gruden is scheduled to be in Seattle Monday night for the Falcons-Seahawks game on Monday Night Football. Needless to say, Knoxville is more than a stones throw from Seattle.

Gruden has been repeatedly connected to the Tennessee job even before the program fired Butch Jones on Nov. 12.

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At 54-years-old Gruden hasn’t coached college football since 1991 as the Pittsburgh Panthers’ wide receiver coach.

He already has a connection to the Volunteers program after working as a graduate assistant for two seasons in the late-80’s. Gruden hasn’t coached in the NFL since 2008 when he spent seven years in Tampa Bay, winning the Super Bowl in his first season.

Rarely is Gruden not connected to a head coaching job, although there are questions regarding if he could work in the college game with more regulations and recruiting. Reports are that Gruden would like to see each of his children graduate high school.

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Gruden’s contract with ESPN runs through the 2021 season, but it likely has outs for future coaching pursuits. In recent years Gruden has been connected to head coaching jobs with the Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts.

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