NAPA – Jon Gruden took the podium Friday afternoon with 18 cameras staring back at him. Over 60 credentialed media formed a dense semicircle around him, with audio recorders and cell phones broadcasting live streaming feeds at the ready.
Reporters and fans will hang on every part of Gruden’s return to the NFL coaching ranks. His second stint leading the Raiders comes after nine years in broadcasting, as Monday Night Football color commentator and ESPN analyst.
It will be well documented. It started at his larger-than-life re-introductory press conference. Then his return to free agency and running the draft and offseason practices were analyzed to death.
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The first full squad training camp practice was another milestone. It was a biggie, ushering the unofficial start of the football season.
Others aren’t just drawn to Gruden’s magnetic personality. He’s a colorful quote and passionate about his job, good theater even in a practice setting.
This was a special day, his first full-squad session in Napa since the 2001 season. Flashbacks came with it.
“I had a few,” Gruden said. “I had a few when I first saw (longtime Raiders beat writer) Jerry McDonald walk up. … It’s really cool. It’s what I came back for. I appreciate you guys being here.”
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Gruden has been accommodating with media and fans despite heavy demands on his time. Senior director of media relations Will Kiss says his list of one-on-one interview requests has reached the third page of a legal pad, and training camp has just begun.
While Derek Carr is a top tier quarterback, edge rusher Khalil Mack ranks among the league best and Marshawn Lynch could win an Oakland mayoral race, Gruden’s the most popular Raider. He has star power nationally and in an Oakland market losing its football team in 2020.
That was clear last week, when Gruden held a rally at Ricky’s Sports Bar in San Leanrdo. The famous Raiders hangout – Gruden has a reserved parking space out front –was packed full of 500 fans and Raiders alumni. Gruden paid for the event, and bought everybody a meal.
“I do stuff like that,” Gruden said. “When I go out, I don’t go out very often, but when I do, I like to be around people that are like-minded. I go to Ricky’s and hang out. You should try it. It’s a great place. To associate with the real Raiders fans that support you thick and thin, that’s good stuff. That’s good for anybody before camp.”
Raiders camp used to be pretty quiet. Fans weren’t allowed inside practices at the Napa Valley Marriott, with only Gruden’s voice ringing aross the field. Fans will pack the stands over the next few weeks, including a Saturday session at a local Napa high school where 6,000 invited season ticket holders and VIPs will watch practice. Gruden is excited about the fan interaction.
“I love fans that are rooting for the Raiders,” Gruden said. “The more the merrier. All the critics have to sit over there in the cheap seats. I love having fans out here at training camp.”
Everyone wants a glimpse of the celebrity coach, to see if he’ll live up to the YouTube clips and his insane work schedule or intense demeanor working with his team.
“I will say this: He has not changed one bit,” quarterback Derek Carr said. “Since the first time I met him at Gruden’s QB Camp (on ESPN) till first day of actual training camp practice, he is the same person. That says a lot that he doesn’t change. He’s always fiery. He loves football. He wants to win. He loves his players. He loves his coaches. And he demands from you. I think all of those things are things I knew about him that day and things I know about him five years later.”