Notre Dame Shoots Down Gruden Rumors

After three days of silence, Notre Dame finally addressed the rumor that fired Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden could be replacing Fighting Irish football coach Charlie Weis. Brian Hardin, Notre Dame’s director of football media relations, shot down the rumor by telling Blue & Gold Illustrated that he needed to respond. “It’s ridiculous that this rumor has even gained the traction it has over the past few days,” Hardin said. “I hesitate to respond because by dignifying this ‘report.” I set myself up to be forced to set the record straight on future rumors.” After seven seasons in Tampa Bay, Gruden was fired on Friday following a late-season collapse in which the Buccaneers lost their final four games to miss the playoffs. It did not take long for the Notre Dame rumors to surface as the New York Daily News, citing a source close to the Buccaneers, reported that Notre Dame would consider buying out Weis after he completes his recruiting class and hire Gruden. “It’s obvious that some people out there are trying to sabotage our recruiting efforts and it’s unfortunate that their agenda has been published and reproduced in recent days,” Hardin said. – SBRForum