Jon Gruden is officially back in professional football.
The former Super Bowl-winning head coach, who led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their first championship in 2002 and later helmed the Oakland and Las Vegas Raiders, is re-entering the sport in an unexpected way.
Gruden has joined the ownership group of the Nashville Kats, a franchise in the newly formed Arena Football 1 (AF1) league.
The popular coach hasn’t held a formal position in pro football since 2021, when he resigned from the Raiders after a series of controversial emails emerged.
In the years since, he’s kept a low profile – briefly working as an unofficial consultant for the New Orleans Saints in 2023 and recently signing on with Barstool Sports.
Now, Gruden is diving back into the game – this time as an executive partner.
He joins forces with longtime NFL coach Jeff Fisher, who owns the Kats through Fisher Football Ventures LLC and also serves as AF1’s commissioner.
Fisher, best known for his 22 seasons leading the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans and the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, welcomed Gruden’s addition to the team with enthusiasm.
“The Nashville Kats and the Arena Football 1 league are very excited to have someone with Jon’s experience, expertise, and success to not only be part of the ownership but also take an active role in a variety of ways within the organization,” Fisher said in a statement.
Gruden, who has long admired the indoor game, said he was eager to join Fisher’s efforts both with the Kats and across the league.
“I have been a fan of indoor football for a long time and jumped at the opportunity to be involved with Jeff and the Nashville Kats as part of the ownership group,” Gruden said.
“I have so much respect for what Jeff has done over his career and continues to do with the Nashville Kats and as commissioner of AF1. I’m excited to be part of the team.”
While Gruden’s return won’t put him back on the sidelines – at least for now – his involvement in ownership and operations signals a new chapter in his football career.
His extensive experience, including his celebrated tenure in Tampa Bay and two stints with the Raiders, could prove to be a major asset as the AF1 league seeks to establish itself on the sports landscape.
For Gruden, it’s not quite a comeback in the traditional sense – but it’s clearly a step back into the game he’s never truly left.
What are your thoughts on Gruden’s interesting move? … Do you think it’s only a matter of time before he gets another crack in the NFL???
