REPORT: GRUDEN TURNED DOWN JOB WITH DUCKS

Two months ago, shortly after being fired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jon Gruden told a Florida newspaper that he wanted to immerse himself in the college spread offense, learn it so he could bring it to the NFL during his next go-around.In particular, he mentioned Oregon as the place where he wanted to go and learn the new-wave collegiate offense.Armed with that knowledge, Oregon’s Chip Kelly, in the days after he ascended to the head coaching position with the Ducks after Mike Bellotti officially stepped down to become the school’s athletic director, got into contact with Gruden and offered him the offensive coordinator position.Unfortunately for Kelly and the rest of the Oregon faithful, Gruden politely declined the offer."He told me he wanted to learn the system,” Kelly told the Nashua Telegraph, “but that he just wanted to take a year off from coaching and spend time with his family. I was taking a shot. He’s a great coach and teacher. He’s still getting a paycheck from Tampa, so he can afford to take some time off."Kelly also told the paper that Gruden is the only person he has offered the job to, and that will likely remain the case.The coach said he would continue to wear the dual hats of head coach and coordinator for the foreseeable future.