Well now, it's officially official.
The Oakland Raiders announced Saturday night — during the first half of a playoff game happening in Los Angeles, no less — that Jon Gruden will be their next head coach.
The team will host a press conference on Tuesday, Jan. 9 to officially introduce Gruden as the new head coach. Gruden only had finished his final broadcast with ESPN featuring the wild comeback by the Tennessee Titans a few hours before when the news that everyone knew coming was confirmed.
Jack Del Rio announced his own firing following the Week 17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, closing the books on a frustrating 6-10 season that failed to meet expectations. Can Gruden, who last coached in the NFL in 2008, turn the club around? Will he rediscover the magic that Gruden appeared to be on the verge of in his four years as Raiders coach 16 years ago?
That's obviously the hope of owner Mark Davis, who reportedly will sink some serious coin into his new coach's pocket. Tuesday's press conference will be a fun scene. But watching Gruden take over will be even more entertaining — and fascinating.
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