Gruden Quiet on Louisville Speculation

TAMPA, Fla. -- ESPN announcer and former Tampa Bay Bucs coach Jon Gruden, who was attending Thursday night's Cincinnati-South Florida game, declined comment about media reports linking him to college and NFL coaching positions.

"I'm just here to support the Bulls," Gruden told FanHouse.

Gruden has been identified as the top choice at Louisville if current coach Steve Kragthorpe is fired after the season, the NFL Network reported.

Gruden's brother, Jay, played quarterback for the Cardinals from 1985 to 1988.

Last week, Louisville Sports Buzz also reported Kragthorpe would be fired or notified he wasn't returning after UL's game with Southern Miss on Oct. 10. However, UL senior associate athletic director Kenny Klein told FanHouse that report was "absolutely not true."

Monday, Kragthorpe was asked about his job status and the various reports speculating about his future.

"You're talking to me, so I'm still employed," Kragthorpe said. "I don't put thought into that. That's the way things [in the media] are today."

Gruden also has been speculated as a candidate as the next coach with the Washington Redskins. The Washington Examiner reported Gruden "might be the best fit" for the Redskins.

Gruden was 100-85 in 11 seasons with the Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay. He led the Buccaneers to the Super Bowl XXXVII title, defeating the Raiders. He was fired in January. He is currently an analyst on ESPN's Monday Night Football.