The 2025 season has witnessed head coaches falling off like a stack of dominoes. With the LSU Tigers pulling the plug on Brian Kelly, the job openings have shot up to 12. Meanwhile, we witnessed the former Las Vegas Raiders head coach and now broadcaster, Jon Gruden, open up about his wish to make a coaching comeback. There’s a program that still holds a place in his heart. The only problem? No room at the inn.

On October 28, Crimson Coverage posted a clip that captured Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan paying a visit to Gruden. Well, the duo did bring a special hamper with them for the ex-NFL coach. As Gruden shook hands with them, the chit-chat continued, “You guys got to get the Tide rolling…You guys having a bye-week…You guys came here to study some football.”

Gruden then unboxed the gift and came out with an Alabama cap, a black-colored Alabama full-sleeve top, which made him cheerful like a kid who got his much-awaited gift. “Is that gives you chills right there?” said Gruden in elation. At the end of the unboxing, he dropped the big statement, “Roll Tide baby…We’re gonna get to work here.”

For a change, Kalen DeBoer has calmed his firing calls. As for Alabama, the Crimson Tide sits at 7-1 overall (5-0 SEC), riding a seven-game winning streak, and is ranked as the nation’s No. 4 team. Under DeBoer, Alabama changed from ‘miserable’ to a winning mindset. That relationship between offense and defense became visible in the crucial moments. They ensured to bring home a win since their stunning loss at Florida State to open the season.

DeBoer, who took Washington to the 2023 national title game in just his second season, brought that same fire to Alabama’s last home clash, a 37-20 win over rival Tennessee. With AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” shaking Bryant-Denny Stadium, he charged ahead of his players, cheering, shouting “Let’s go!” and building energy with every step through the tunnel before capping it off by slapping the goalpost as they stormed the field.

Meanwhile, Gruden has been a proven winner in the NFL. He led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the first Lombardi Trophy in 2003. So, he will bring a winner’s mindset to the Tuscaloosa camp. He brings to the table a battle-tested resume. Gruden has done playbook calling with Mike Holmgren’s San Francisco 49ers and then head-coached at the Las Vegas Raiders and Tampa Bay.

But for now, Alabama does not seem to have any openings for the head coaching position. However, there still remains a thin hope for Gruden.

A silver lining for Jon Gruden from Greg McElroy

Now that he dropped a hint to be ‘Rolling Tide,’ it takes us back to his interview from August. On the Fox Sports Radio podcast, Gruden opened up about his wish: “I’m being honest with you. I do not bullshit, either. I want to coach again. I’d die to coach in the SEC. I would love it. I would f—— love it.” 

When Gruden said this, former Arkansas Razorbacks’ head coach Sam Pittman’s buyout had picked up the buzz. The water has flown too far after that. Arkansas fired Pittman, and other college football programs took the same path of getting rid of their head coaches. But Gruden’s heart must still be nurturing a strong wish to be coaching in the SEC. Looks like his dream might come true. 

Here, Greg McElroy’s analysis comes with a silver lining for Gruden. The analyst hinted that Grubb might jump out of Tuscaloosa to try his luck at head coaching somewhere else. “Ryan Grubb, the offensive coordinator at Alabama, who I’m surprised hasn’t got more looks in the past,” McElroy said. “The guy feels like a head coach when you meet with him, you visit with him, very cerebral coach, and has done a great job in his time in Tuscaloosa.”

And already, Oregon State must be having its eyes on Ryan Grubb. After all, he brings to the table an impressive resume, having followed Kalen DeBoer to multiple programs. Grubb has been his offensive coordinator at Sioux Falls, Fresno State, Washington, and now Alabama. A perfect match to uplift the Beavers, who have lost 13 of their last 14 games. Does Jon Gruden stay patient for his dream shot, or take the fast track to the first available role?