Until Jon Gruden is actually introduced as the head coach at a major college program or another NFL franchise, any and all rumors of him deciding to leave the ESPN Monday Night Football booth have to be taken with a grain of salt.

But the Gruden-to-Tennessee rumors certainly seem to have more credence to them as compared to past rumors, such as Gruden-to-Miami before Al Golden was hired by the Hurricanes.

Gruden, who began his coaching career as a graduate assistant in Knoxville and whose wife Cindy was a cheerleader at the school, will have to decide if he wants to remain in one of the most comfortable jobs in sports or if he wants to return to the rigors of coaching. And if he does want to return to the sideline, he needs to decide if he wants to be involved with the maddening world of college athletics.

Certainly, the Vols and AD Dave Hart are prepared to make Gruden "their guy." And with the announcement Tuesday by school chancellor Jimmy Cheek that the school will reinvest $18 million over the next three years into the athletic department, money will be no object as the school searches for Derek Dooley's replacement.

Are Vol fans ready for the Gruden era to commence? Absolutely, as based on this video trailer.

Email dave.miller@nationalfootballpost.com or follow me on Twitter at Miller_Dave