May 18, 2009
Former University of Dayton quarterback and Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden is joining ESPN's Monday Night Football. Gruden will join commentators Mike Tirico and Ron Jaworski in the booth when sports television's signature series kicks off its 40th season this fall. Gruden replaces Tony Kornheiser, who has decided to step down after three years in the Monday Night Football booth.
Gruden earned three letters as a backup QB for the Flyers from 1983 to 1985. As a senior, he was named the winner of the Lt. Andy Zulli Memorial Trophy, the program's most prestigious award that is based on sportsmanship, leadership and character. He graduated from UD with a degree in communications in 1986.
Gruden immediately went into coaching, first in the college ranks with stops at Tennessee, Southeast Missouri State, Pacific and Pittsburgh. He then moved on to his NFL coaching career with posts with the San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles. He was named head coach of the Oakland Raiders' new head coach at the age in 1998. In 2001, he was named the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he won the Super Bowl in his first season.
That Super Bowl win made UD one of five schools with two graduates who have coached winning Super Bowl teams. Chuck Noll (Class of '53) won four Super Bowls as the head coach of Pittsburgh Steelers.
"This is a tremendous opportunity and I am very excited to be associated with ESPN and Monday Night Football," Gruden said. "I grew up a fan of Monday Night Football, and whether I've coached on Monday night or watched, I've hardly missed a game all these years. To join Mike and Jaws in the booth is going to be a real thrill."
Kornheiser added: "If I could handpick a replacement of a football guy, I would cast a net and drag in Jon Gruden. He is the two things you most want -- smart and funny -- and has the two things I don't -- good hair and a tan."
Gruden will make his Monday Night Football debut when ESPN kicks off its 2009 preseason schedule with a Super Bowl rematch between the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, August 13 at 8 p.m. ET. Following four preseason games, Tirico, Jaworski and Gruden will call the Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots on September 14 at 7 p.m. in the opening game of the doubleheader that will kick off the 40th season of Monday Night Football. Gruden will also contribute analysis throughout the year on ESPN Radio, ESPN.com and other platforms, in addition to being a part of ESPN's Super Bowl and NFL Draft coverage.
(ESPN's public relations and research departments contributed to this release.)
