Gruden closes in on Raiders job
He says there is a ‘good chance’ he will be their coach.
Jon Gruden said he had a good talk with Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis about returning to the organization for a second stint as coach and believes there is a “good chance” it will happen.
Gruden gave an interview to ESPN Radio on Wednesday to discuss his pursuit of the Raiders job that opened when Jack Del Rio was fired after a six-win season.
“It’s been a long couple of weeks,” Gruden said. “I know they’ve gone through their process of interviewing candidates and until they’re done I won’t know. I did have a good meeting with Mark. I’ve known him a long time and got a lot of respect for the Raiders football organization.”
Gruden, 54, dismissed speculation that he would get an ownership stake as part of his contract.
Gruden has been out of coaching the past nine years while serving as ESPN’s analyst for “Monday Night Football.”
He is scheduled to work the network’s playoff game Saturday in Kansas City between the Chiefs and Titans and could come back to the Raiders as soon as next week.
“I think there’s a good chance,” said Gruden, who spent four seasons as coach in Oakland from 1998-2001. He also coached the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl title and has a 95-81 career record.
The Raiders will be required to comply with the “Rooney Rule” and interview at least one minority candidate or otherwise face discipline from the NFL.
Bills: Running back LeSean McCoy missed practice because of a right ankle injury and it’s uncertain whether he can play Sunday at Jacksonville in Buffalo’s first playoff game in 18 years. Coach Sean McDermott would only list the Bills’ top offensive threat as day to day and declined to say whether McCoy would be able to practice at all this week. McCoy was carted off the field after being hurt on the opening drive of the second half of Buffalo’s 22-16 win at Miami on Sunday.
McCoy leads Buffalo with 1,138 yards rushing, 59 catches and eight touchdowns, including two receiving. Overall, his 1,586 yards from scrimmage account for 33 percent of the Bills’ total.
Packers: Coach Mike McCarthy said Dom Capers won’t return as defensive coordinator. Capers had been defensive coordinator since 2009. Green Bay was fifth in overall defense in the Super Bowl-winning season in 2010. Defensive line coach Mike Trgovac and inside linebacker Scott McCurley were also let go.
Chiefs: Cornerback Phillip Gaines (dislocated elbow) went on injured reserve and defensive tackle Stefan Charles was signed to provide depth.
Titans: Running back Derrick Henry said he was not happy with his performance last week with 28 carries for 51 yards in a 15-10 win over the Jaguars. He took a screen 66 yards for the Titans’ lone offensive touchdown. But Henry said he didn’t feel like a workhorse back and “kind of felt soft.” Henry said he hasn’t stopped thinking about that game since it ended and has been working hard to be better for Saturday’s playoff game at the Chiefs.
Giants: Interim coach Steve Spagnuolo was interviewed by new general manager Dave Gettleman, co-owner John Mara and assistant general manager Kevin Abrams for the vacant head coaching spot. Spagnuolo was 1-3 after being promoted from defensive coordinator to replace the fired Ben McAdoo on Dec. 4. Spagnuolo has head coaching experience, having guided the St. Louis Rams from 2009-11.
Lions: Detroit interviewed Texans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel for its vacant head coaching position.
Bears: Chicago interviewed defensive coordinator Vic Fangio for its head coaching job. Wednesday’s interview was the first for the Bears since they fired John Fox on Monday.
Falcons: Special teams coach Keith Armstrong will interview with the Cardinals next week as a candidate to replace retiring head coach Bruce Arians. “To me it’s a sign of respect,” Armstrong said. “I’ve been doing this 24 years now. That’s quite a long time in this league. It’s good to have someone recognize you for what you’ve done.”
Noteworthy: The Senior Bowl announced the Denver Broncos staff, led by Vance Joseph, will coach the North Team and the Houston Texans staff, led by Bill O’Brien, will coach the South Team, which will include Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, who won the Heisman Trophy this season. The Senior Bowl is Jan. 27 in Mobile, Ala.
Tuesday’s Games Wednesday’s Games
Rockets 116, (at) Magic 98: Gerald Green scored 27 points, Clint Capela had 21 points and eight rebounds and the Rockets got by without NBA scoring leader James Harden.
(At) Wizards 121, Knicks 103: Bradley Beal scored 27 points and John Wall added 25 with nine assists.
(At) 76ers 112, Spurs 106: Joel Embiid shook off a sprained right hand that nearly kept him out of the lineup to score 21 points and grab 11 rebounds for the 76ers.
(At) Heat 111, Pistons 104: Goran Dragic and Kelly Olynyk each had double-doubles for the Heat. Dragic scored 24 points and had 13 assists while Olynyk scored 25 and grabbed 13 rebounds.
Raptors 124, (at) Bulls 115: DeMar DeRozan had 35 points, and Delon Wright set career highs with 25 points and 13 rebounds as Toronto won for the ninth time in 11 games.
(At) Nets 98, Timberwolves 97 : Spencer Dinwiddie made the go-ahead jumper with 9.7 seconds left and tied his career high with 26 point for the Nets.
(At) Celtics 102, Cavaliers 88: Terry Rozier scored 20 points in 20 minutes for Boston, stealing the spotlight from LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Isaiah Thomas in a rematch of the Eastern Conference finals.
(At) Bucks 122, Packers 101: Giannis Antetokounmpo had 31 points and 10 rebounds while sitting out the fourth quarter and Khris Middleton added 27 points for Milwaukee.
Warriors 125, (at) Mavericks 123: Stephen Curry hit a 3-pointer with three seconds remaining to lift Golden State. Six Dallas players scored in double figures, led by Wesley Matthews with 22.
Pelicans at Jazz: Late
Suns at Nuggets: Late
Thunder at Lakers: Late