ESPN rebuffed rumors out of San Diego that Jon Gruden plans to leave the network, and his Monday Night Football post, for a coaching job after this season.
Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reported on Monday (see blog), citing sources, that Gruden is set to leave the broadcast booth for the reportedly soon-to-be vacant head coaching job with the St. Louis Rams.
Acee said the move is "all but certain" and that ESPN was aware of Gruden's plans.
Not so, said ESPN on Tuesday.
Jon signed a multi-year extension with ESPN this fall, ESPN said in a statement provided to NBC's ProFootballTalk. He remains committed to being a part of Monday Night Football for many years.
PFT, citing multiple sources, reports that there is a strong belief within the industry that Gruden will indeed be back with ESPN in 2012.
Acee's initial story had Gruden taking over for Steve Spagnuolo in St. Louis, who upon his termination would become Andy Reid's defensive coordinator with the Eagles. Spagnuolo, who spent 1999-2006 as an Eagles assistant, is about to end his third season as the Rams' head coach. The team is 2-13 this year.
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All of the rumored Gruden moves, mind you, are based on a potential San Diego Chargers general manager shakeup.