Wednesday, January 17, 2001
Gruden: Not interested in Ohio State
Oregon coach withdraws from consideration
Enquirer new services
Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden dismissed widespread reports that he is a candidate for the coaching vacancy at Ohio State as “crazy speculation” and “wild rumors.”
“I have not talked to anybody from Ohio State,” Gruden said Tuesday. “I'm happy to be where I am. We've got some things we're trying to accomplish in Oakland, and that's what I'm concentrating on right now.”
CBS SportsLine.com had reported that Gruden, a Sandusky native and former Dayton quarterback, was the top candidate for the job and was flying to Columbus on Tuesday to meet with school.
Oregon's Mike Bellotti withdrew from consideration Tuesday, apparently leaving Minnesota's Glen Mason and Youngstown State's Jim Tressel as the top candidates.
Bellotti had met Monday with Ohio State athletics director Andy Geiger and associate AD Archie Griffin.
“I was very impressed with the people and facilities and the environment, but it just reinforced to me my commitment to the University of Oregon,” Bellotti said in a statement issued through Oregon's sports information office.
Mason, a former Ohio State player and assistant, was scheduled to visit Ohio State on Wednesday. Mason, 50, has been considered a likely successor to the fired John Cooper ever since the Golden Gophers upset then No. 6-ranked Ohio State 29-17 in Ohio Stadium.
Tressel met Tuesday with Ohio State officials.
“The important thing is that we share who we are and they talk about what they're looking for,” Tressel told WSYX after he and his wife met with Geiger and Ohio State President William Kirwan for 90 minutes. “Then they'll convene and make some decision.”
The first day for the signing of national letters of intent is Feb. 7. Tressel said he wasn't given an idea when a coach would be in place.
“They're sensitive to the recruiting issue,” he said. “I'm sure they'd like to do it soon.”
Tressel, 46, is a former Buckeyes assistant who has won four I-AA national championships at Youngstown State. The Berea native had met with Geiger and Griffin and also received a follow-up phone call for more information.
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Gruden: Not interested in Ohio State