Marv Levy: Jon Gruden contract 'beyond belief'

Marv Levy, retired head coach of the Buffalo Bills, said he was looking for the right word to describe his reaction Friday after learning the Oakland Raiders reportedly gave Jon Gruden a 10-year contract worth $100 million to become the team’s new head coach.

“If there is a more vigorous word than ‘Astounded’ please feel free to use it in my behalf,’’ Levy told USA TODAY Sports via email. “Ten million a year with a 10-year commitment is beyond belief.’’

Levy said what he knows of Gruden is of “a positive nature,’’ but added, “What happens if, after 3 or 4 years, the Raiders have one losing, non-playoff season after another?’’

Head coach of the Bills from 1986-97, Levy recalled his reaction in 1970 when George Allen was hired by the Washington Redskins and Levy was an assistant on the staff.

“When all of us on the staff who joined him learned that his contract was for a whopping $75,000 a year, we just could not believe that anyone would ever get paid that much to coach football,’’ Levy wrote. “I wonder how much Knute Rockne and Amos Alonzo Stagg got paid.’’

Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy says he has heard positive
Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy says he has heard positive things about Jon Gruden but wonders how the contract would look if the Raiders … Show more

MARK DUNCAN, AP
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Kenneth L. Shropshire, who runs the Global Sport Institute at Arizona State University, said Raiders owner Mark Davis didn’t necessarily act recklessly in reportedly awarding Gruden a $100 million deal.

“Like so much in sports, the number provides greater clarity on how big the margins are for profitability,’’ Shropshire told USA TODAY Sports via email. “It’s only irresponsible if Davis can’t afford it. The special factors are the brand name, his past connection with the club and a huge marketing hook for the move into a new market.’’

The Raiders are prepared to move to Las Vegas from Oakland before the 2020 season.