Jon Gruden Bullish On Bucs Despite Jet-Sweep Blues
August 9th, 2025
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
Despite getting fired by the organization he grew up cheering for, Jon Gruden remains in love with the Buccaneers. As the franchise approaches its 50th NFL season, I caught up with Gruden at his lair in Tampa.
He’s very bullish on the Bucs in their quest for a sixth consecutive playoff berth — and fourth under Todd Bowles.
“You talk about a franchise that was rescued,” Gruden says. “We came out of a trailer in 2002 to win the Super Bowl. The Glazers came in and built a brand-new stadium and a brand-new facility. I grew up at One Buc Place. I remember the team training at the Wide World of Sports in Orlando.
“Through it all, these Buc fans have been great. It’s fantastic to see the awesome support this team has. When I go to the stadium, I still see some of people I saw when I was coaching there. It’s a great organization.”
Bucky draws a comparison from Chucky.
Gruden is impressed with the talent Jason Licht has assembled, particularly on offense, where running back Bucky Irving is determined to improve after a dynamic rookie season.
“Bucky reminds me of (former Raider) Charlie Garner,” he says. “I love Bucky Irving. I also like Rachaad White. He can really catch the ball and I like Sean Tucker, too. Licht has done a great job.
“They’ve also got four or five real good receivers to go along with those backs. Add in a hell of an offensive line built to go 15 rounds if they have to. They can take you the distance and knock you out. I’m excited to watch them.”
Like the rest of Buc Nation, Gruden was stunned by the narrow home loss to Washington in the opening playoff round.
“I was disappointed we jumped offsides in short yardage and I was disappointed we can’t hand the ball off on a jet sweep,” Gruden says. “But it turned out Washington had a really good football team that was well coached.”
It should come as no surprise that Gruden took a poke at the print media that covered him during his seven years coaching the Bucs.
“The sportswriters have gotten a lot better,” he says. “They’ve gotten rid of some of the bums who were walking around.”
Although his dismissal after the 2008 season came as a shock, Gruden says he harbors no ill will toward ownership. He looks back at his time at One Buc Place with a mixture of pride and some regret.
“We went through a lot here, but we won our share of games,” he says. “We won three division titles with three different quarterbacks and we won a Super Bowl. It wasn’t perfect … don’t get me wrong. We had plenty of games where I wish we had a mulligan.
“This is a strong, stable franchise. Mr. Glazer is no longer with us, but his family has taken the torch and done a great job with this football team.”
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August 9th, 2025 at 10:08 am
It’s time to uncancel Coach Gruden.
August 9th, 2025 at 10:13 am
“I remember the team training at the Wide World of Sports in Orlando.”
I feel so old. It was Tampa University for me, lol.
August 9th, 2025 at 10:15 am
That’s my coach!
August 9th, 2025 at 10:18 am
Class act. Gruden should never, never have been canceled in the first place. The players who really knew him, like Sapp, Brooks, Lynch, Barber (our hall of famers, what would they know) all came to his defense when that fiasco from toxic Snyder and Bruce Allen happened. The ultimate deflection to scapegoat a great force in the NFL.
Great interview, Ira. Love it that Chucky says “we!”
August 9th, 2025 at 10:34 am
I remember three-a-days at Tampa U.
Because of my coaching responsibilities here in Mississippi, this will be the first season since 1987 I will not watch the Bucs play at 1pm on Sundays. We have in-season coaches meetings at 1pm CST on Sundays.
I do have time for the Bucs-Aints in NO on 10/29. I will miss the coaches meeting for that game.
August 9th, 2025 at 11:00 am
For those of you who were not around in the olden days like myself the “trailers” Chucky mentioned were portable buildings that were the original One Buc Place. LOL I remember thinking that was pretty cool. The players thought differently I did not find out til recently how bad it was. Funny how the media leaves things out of stories sometimes.
Good stuff Ira!
Go Bucs!
August 9th, 2025 at 11:16 am
Ira – like the podcasts but really love the interview articles. Pls ask Gruden how we can improve in night games.
August 9th, 2025 at 11:36 am
Chucky online has been fantastic! If you are not following him, you should. His 2 hour breakdown of the entire NFC South is awesome.
A couple huge mistakes back then when he coached: Letting Sapp and Lynch go and they never developed a QB.
August 9th, 2025 at 11:56 am
Gruden was a solid motivator and good Xs & Os coach.
Would have had much more success paired up with personel, draft and cap gurus like Licht & Co.
He and Allen were not a good match.
August 9th, 2025 at 12:26 pm
Chucky got cancelled largely for what he said about the Glazers. Solid PR strategy.
I’m surprised we didn’t make him the OC. Not sure if he wanted it. It would have been the perfect OC to HC move.
August 9th, 2025 at 12:49 pm
Gruden has been kissing the ring lol
August 9th, 2025 at 1:29 pm
I wonder how much traffic Gruden could bring to JBF with a weekly podcast. He and Ira would make for a pretty impressive stable!
Congrats on the coaching position CobraBoy! Would love to hear more about it!
August 9th, 2025 at 3:35 pm
God the original 1 Buc Place was horrible. All the weight machines and racks outside facing a setting western heat soaked sun, sheesh. And the sound of the airport roaring all day. Culverhouse was a bag of d***’s….
August 9th, 2025 at 3:55 pm
Great idea, but i doubt those egos would make for a sustainable format. Half of every podcast would require equal time with flattering monikers. ” Custodian of Canton, Ring of honor Coach, Sage of Tampa Bay, Bay Area Bad Boy……yawn.” I doubt Gruden could take a backseat as an OC or in deference to Ira on a podcast.
August 9th, 2025 at 3:59 pm
We could’ve gotten more from this I feel. Give us longer pieces Ira I wanna read more from you. Make it like a story for the paper back in the day
August 9th, 2025 at 4:52 pm
No ego here
August 9th, 2025 at 6:05 pm
You can’t cancel Coach Gruden he’s too iconic and has too much aura to just get rid of
August 9th, 2025 at 6:10 pm
Chucky is under contract with Barstool. Portnoy has a significantly bigger budget.
August 9th, 2025 at 6:24 pm
Well then get Sidney Sweeney!
August 9th, 2025 at 6:43 pm
I remember Wide World. Met Gruden at Buc events many times over the years. He didn’t just sign stuff. He looked you in the eye, and you could tell he cared. Have a lot of respect for the man, and the joy he brought to me, my two sons, and wife, who really loved Gruden as a coach. LOL.
August 9th, 2025 at 7:09 pm
Bring him back!
August 9th, 2025 at 10:25 pm
Thanks Joe and Ira! I love Coach Gruden!
August 10th, 2025 at 9:34 am
Again great column Ira!!!. Yes, I remember, both practices at UT and wide world of sports. I went to both while usually on vacation here from San Jose Ca.
Yes we all know Mr Culverhouse was a horrible owner. No doubt what he did to the team, coaches and fans , especially surrounding Doug Williams really put a black stain on this organzation!!!. Glad those good old days are gone!!.
Yes, so glad to see Gruden back in the fold with the Bucs. We all know he was set up and exposed. However, yes he brought it on himself, sure he would tell you that. He is great for the Bucs and great for football!!.
I may have to agree your podcasts are great, however, your columns may be better!!. Really good stuff and point on!!!.
I have become and Ira and Joe Fan,
Thanks Guys!!!