Dear Tennessee’s fan base,

I hate to tell you this, but I feel quite certain you’ve been misled, fooled and teased by the person you wanted to save your football program. All signs point to the fact that Jon Gruden never really considered becoming the head coach at Tennessee.

The latest example came from his closest co-worker, Sean McDonough on Monday. Gruden and McDonough handle Monday Night Football broadcasts and McDonough shared his feelings recently during an interview on ESPN Radio in Seattle.

“He’s not going to Tennessee,” McDonough said. “I’d be very shocked if he did.”

McDonough was quick to point out that he didn’t have any inside information from Gruden and that he truly loves UT. However, McDonough said if Gruden returned to coaching, it would likely be in the NFL. In case you have forgotten, UT is in the SEC.

ESPN talk-show host Ryan Russillo also questioned Gruden’s actions on Monday, asking why would he keep the UT rumors alive. There’s reason for Gruden to keep a possible return to coaching alive. It can help him get a better contract at ESPN. However, Gruden has gone out of his way to keep UT in the picture, which is actually quite self-centered and even maniacal if he truly loves the Vols as he says.

Gruden went out of his way to mention UT on ESPN Seattle last week unprompted even after he reportedly asked for the station hosts to not ask him about the UT job. That’s kind of sick.

And I’m sorry UT fans, but many in the media have done you a disservice. Many were either misinformed, too hopeful that Gruden would become UT’s next coach or simply providing clickbait or hoping to boost their ratings. As for the reporters that actually said hiring Gruden was a longshot, they have been vilified.

The facts have always been simple. Gruden would have to work harder and take a pay cut to coach at UT. Would you make such a career move? Gruden could also get a coaching job in the NFL whenever he wants it. A noted film junkie, do you think he’d rather be recruiting in college or drawing up game plans in the NFL?

I hope Gruden hasn’t hampered UT’s coaching search to serve his own ego for the sake of Tennessee’s fan base. Other than a phone call, the Vols shouldn’t have spent much time on Gruden.

Now, it’s time to move on. There are plenty of candidates that can win at Tennessee. It’s a great job with everything a good coach should need to win at a high level.

And for those that may feel heartbroken that Gruden is almost certainly not coming to UT, remember that he was never a slam-dunk, great hire. After winning the Super Bowl in 2002 with a team he didn’t build, Gruden’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers missed the playoffs four of the next six years and lost in the first round of the playoffs twice. Then he was fired. Sure, he’s a great offensive mind, but he’s not remotely close to having an elite resume.

UT’s fan base is better than getting caught up in Gruden. Even though other candidates may not be as popular, there are better candidates out there. They just don’t happen to be on television.