Jon Gruden says he'd "die to coach in the SEC." We must assume he's being hyperbolic, but the former NFL coach sounds serious about wanting to coach again – and wanting to coach in college.

He's not the only former coach with an eye toward new opportunities. Former Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher says he's up for a return to the sideline, too. This projects as an active year for the hot seat, so would either Gruden or Fisher be a worthwhile consideration for an SEC athletic director?

That debate takes center stage on today's episode, featuring hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams. Their verdict: Neither Gruden nor Fisher would seem particularly appealing within the SEC, although Toppmeyer offers one SEC school that might make some sense, depending on its level of desperation.

Of the two possibilities, the hosts agree Gruden offers more intrigue than Fisher, who received everything a coach could want with the Aggies and couldn't make it work. Gruden would be the ultimate wild card.

Later in the episode, the hosts weigh in on Alabama naming Ty Simpson its starting quarterback and what that means for Kalen DeBoer's second season.

For more from Toppmeyer and Adams, sign up for the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered free to your email inbox.

Jon Gruden says he'd "<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/sec/2025/08/10/jon-gruden-sec-football-coaching-return-comments/85599665007/" aria-label="Link die to coach in the SEC">die to coach in the SEC</a>." We must assume he's being hyperbolic, but the former NFL coach sounds serious about wanting to coach again &ndash; and wanting to coach in college.
He's not the only former coach with an eye toward new opportunities. Former Texas A&amp;M coach Jimbo Fisher <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2025/08/10/jimbo-fisher-coaching-return-college-football/85599351007/" aria-label="Link says he's up for a return to the sideline">says he's up for a return to the sideline</a>, too. This projects as an active year for the hot seat, so would either Gruden or Fisher be a worthwhile consideration for an SEC athletic director?
That debate takes center stage on today's episode, featuring hosts <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2648210001/blake-toppmeyer/" aria-label="Link Blake Toppmeyer">Blake Toppmeyer</a> and <a href="https://www.knoxnews.com/staff/2647548001/john-adams/" aria-label="Link John Adams">John Adams</a>. Their verdict: Neither Gruden nor Fisher would seem particularly appealing within the SEC, although Toppmeyer offers one SEC school that might make some sense, depending on its level of desperation.
Of the two possibilities, the hosts agree Gruden offers more intrigue than Fisher, who received everything a coach could want with the Aggies and couldn't make it work. Gruden would be the ultimate wild card.
Later in the episode, the hosts weigh in on Alabama naming Ty Simpson its starting quarterback and what that means for Kalen DeBoer's second season.
For more from Toppmeyer and Adams, <a href="https://profile.tennessean.com/newsletters/sec-unfiltered/" aria-label="Link sign up for the SEC Unfiltered newsletter">sign up for the SEC Unfiltered newsletter</a>, delivered free to your email inbox.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered features hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams of the USA TODAY Network serving opinion, debate and analysis on trending college football topics within the Southeastern Conference. No subject is off limits, and no one is above rebuke. Take off the filter and revel in the banter.

SEC Football Unfiltered

Jon Gruden to coach in the SEC? He says he'd 'die' for the chance