Jon Gruden returns to soccer with Italy's Milano Seamen

NFL

by christian arnold

Former Raiders and Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden has taken the first steps in his return to coaching…sort of.

Gruden was hired by Milano Seamen on Wednesday as an advisor to the team, which has won the Italian Bowl five times in the European Football League.

As part of his job, Gruden will contribute to the improvement of the organization “in all aspects,” the team said in its hiring announcement.

The Seamen organization said Gruden had already begun working with the coaching staff in an X post with a photo of the former NFL coach wearing a Seamen shirt and hat.

The new job is Gruden's first in football since stepping down as Raiders coach in 2021 after emails containing racist, misogynistic and homophobic language surfaced publicly. This is his first official job.

The email became public during the fifth game of the 2021 season and was uncovered as part of the NFL's investigation into the Washington Commanders' toxic workplace culture under former owner Dan Snyder.

Gruden has expressed embarrassment and regret over the language he used in the email, calling it “disgraceful” and saying he will “make no excuses for it” in 2022.

Gruden is hoping for a chance at redemption as well.

“I'm a good person. I believe that,” he said in 2022, according to USA Today. “I go to church. I've been married for 31 years. I have three wonderful boys. I still love soccer. … I just ask for forgiveness, and hopefully again. I hope you get your shot.”

Gruden filed a lawsuit against the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell in late 2021, claiming the league leaked emails in an effort to force him from his position with the Raiders.

Gruden coached 15 seasons between the Raiders and Buccaneers, leading Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl championship in 2002.