🏈 Jon Gruden's agent speaks on UT rumors: "It's a fantasy world"

[TerryP]

From govolsxtra.com

Tennessee fans expecting the Vols to lure former NFL coach Jon Gruden from his lucrative television gig had their hopes stamped out Friday.

Gruden's longtime agent called the idea of his client taking a job at Tennessee "fantasy." A source close to Tennessee's search said the Vols had moved on to other candidates.

The details of the flirtation between Gruden and Tennessee, and the extent of interest on either side, may never be fully known. One thing is clear after a zany Friday: The Super Bowl-winning coach who had captivated Tennessee fans for months won't be coming to Knoxville.

"I haven't said anything (about the ongoing rumors) because there's been nothing to say," said Bob LaMonte, the Reno, Nev.-based representative for Gruden. "This, to me, is just a fantasy world."

LaMonte said he spoke to Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart for the first time Friday morning.

"He just said there had been a lot of rumors and he just wanted to clear the air," LaMonte said. "I said, 'Thank you for the call. I appreciate it.' He said thank you and that was it."

According to LaMonte, Gruden has no plans to leave ESPN, where he is in his fourth season as a commentator for Monday Night Football.

"Jon has made it clear he's committed to ESPN," LaMonte said.

The chances of Gruden coming to Tennessee had dwindled until a report by the Chattanooga Times Free Press late Thursday revived the hopes of some fans that a deal could still be struck. Citing two unnamed sources, the newspaper said Gruden had been offered a generous contract and the decision was in his hands.

A source who spoke to the News Sentinel on the condition he not be identified strongly disputed the Chattanooga report. The source said Tennessee reached out to Gruden late last week, but after discussing matters with his family, Gruden declined to pursue the job. The source said no financial figures were discussed and no contract was offered.

LaMonte also said there had been no offers or discussions of money, and no discussions at all that involved him.

"I don't know Dave Hart," LaMonte said. "I'd never met him or talked to him. (Today) was the only time I talked to anyone from Tennessee."

 

[planomateo]