Jon Gruden is a man on a mission. “The only reason I really came here is because I want to coach again,” he said back in August. “I’m being honest with you. I do not bull— either. I’d die to coach in the SEC. I would love it. I would f—ing love it.” Nothing could be clearer than that. It was not long ago that his name was radioactive. The leaked emails that forced his 2021 Raiders resignation looked like the end of a coaching career. He was even yanked out of the Buccaneers’ Ring of Honor like a statue under protest. But fast-forward to 2025, and things are very different. 

Top 3 SEC landing spots for Jon Gruden 

Through a self-launched YouTube channel, Jon Gruden turned film breakdowns into must-see content. Add in his stint with Barstool Sports, and suddenly, he went from coaching to being a hero of digital football culture. But clicks aren’t wins, and likes aren’t Lombardi’s for this former HC. Now that his desire is revealed, the question is which SEC sideline could realistically pull in this NFL genius. 

Florida

If there’s one SEC job constantly teetering between glory and chaos, it’s Florida. Billy Napier knows it better than anyone. His 2024 wasn’t terrible; it was brutal scheduling mixed with flashes of resilience. Yet, a stunning 18-16 loss to South Florida as an 18.5-point favorite has already turned the Swamp toxic. Fans left Ben Hill Griffin Stadium chanting “Fire Billy,” and that’s not a soundbite for stability. 

Billy Napier doubled down on himself this offseason, refusing to hire an offensive coordinator to groom DJ Lagway. So far, that gamble is taking a risky turn. Add in fake social media posts of his dismissal, and you can’t help thinking Gainesville is rallying for a new coach. Could Jon Gruden swoop in?

Frank Frangie said on his 1010XL: Gators podcast, “If Billy Napier gets fired, and I think he’s going to… Jon Gruden will be in play for that job.” And while Florida’s history of polarizing legends like Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer makes the fit intriguing, the Gators also devour HCs alive. So yeah, you can picture Jon Gruden in a blue polo shirt with a headset on. But can you picture him surviving Florida’s patience-starved fans? That’s a tougher image. And if Gainesville isn’t the best fit, who in the SEC would gamble their future on him?

Alabama 

Kalen DeBoer was supposed to be the bridge between Nick Saban’s dynasty and Alabama’s next great chapter. Instead, a humbling 31-17 loss to Florida State has already cracked the Crimson Tide’s fanbase in half. Josh Pate summed it up best when he said, “I woke up this morning. Against my better judgment, I pulled up my Twitter account, and there it was. ‘FIRE KALEN DEBOER’ right there. First thing I saw, all caps.”

But firing Kalen DeBoer isn’t that simple. The man signed an eight-year, $87 million contract in March 2024. His buyout, if Alabama canned him without cause, would hover around a jaw-dropping $70 million this December. That’s oil-money levels of absurd, even for Bama. And yet, if Alabama keeps stumbling through SEC play, boosters won’t care about balance sheets. They’ll care about scoreboards. Which is where Jon Gruden’s Super Bowl ring starts shining. He knows how to lead championship teams, he knows how to groom quarterbacks, and he knows how to handle scrutiny. Brad Johnson and Derek Carr aren’t Bryce Young, but he has a knack for stabilizing QB play, a skill Bama desperately needs in its post-Saban identity crisis.

Would Alabama really gamble $70 million to replace Kalen DeBoer with Jon Gruden? Maybe not today. But give this fanbase another couple of bad Saturdays, and suddenly, Chucky to Tuscaloosa won’t sound so far-fetched. Still, Alabama’s buyout math is messy. What about a program where chaos is almost expected? 

Arkansas

If there’s one program that screams “Gruden project,” it’s Arkansas. Sam Pittman is beloved in Fayetteville, but he’s forever on the hot seat. His recruiting has cooled off, and the Hogs’ identity feels stuck in neutral. Arkansas wants swagger. And who brings more swagger than Jon Gruden?

Picture him at midfield, flashing that Chucky grin while leading a “Woo Pig Sooie!” chant. If Arkansas hired Bobby Petrino twice and proudly flaunts John Calipari on the basketball side, don’t tell me they’d shy away from Jon Gruden’s baggage. This is the alma mater of John Daly. Conventional isn’t in their vocabulary.

Jon Gruden has even flirted with Arkansas before, once turning down the job because of recruiting challenges. But his tune has changed. Now he’s openly said he’d love the SEC grind, even hinting Fayetteville could work. He’s not naive; he knows this isn’t the NFL. It’s booster dinners, recruiting visits, and convincing kids that Razorback red is better than Longhorn burnt orange. And yet, the man looks ready to embrace it.

Early wins against Alabama A&M and Arkansas State prove nothing, and Sam Pittman knows adversity is coming once SEC play kicks in. “We haven’t had a lot of adversity yet,” he admitted. Everyone knows the storm is coming, and if Fayetteville feels like the 62-year-old is not the guy to weather it, don’t be shocked if Jon Gruden’s name rockets back to the top of their wishlist. And unlike Florida’s volatility or Alabama’s buyout nightmare, Arkansas feels just crazy enough to roll the dice.

Why the SEC makes sense for Jon Gruden

So why does this even feel real? Simple. Jon Gruden doesn’t want the NFL anymore. He wants Saturdays, rivalries, and the kind of pressure that makes legends or devours them. The SEC isn’t forgiving, but it is unforgettable. And for a coach who’s already climbed the NFL mountaintop, there’s no better stage left. Florida offers tradition, but also a meat grinder. Alabama offers resources, but also a $70 million roadblock. Arkansas feels like it matches Jon Gruden’s personality, his desire for chaos, and his willingness to go toe-to-toe with the biggest brands in the sport.

The SEC loves villains. Jon Gruden’s been one. The SEC loves redemption arcs. Jon Gruden’s building one. And the SEC loves drama. Jon Gruden brings that in spades. Because if Jon Gruden really wants the SEC, the SEC might just want him back.