Nashville Kats President of Football Operations Jeff Fisher
Jeff Fisher talks about why he chose to join the Nashville Kats, who are making a comeback in the Arena Football League
Former NFL coach Jon Gruden is back in football as a partner with the Nashville Kats of the Arena Football One League. Gruden joined former Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher’s ownership group Fisher Football Ventures LLC.
Fisher made the announcement on May 5 introducing Gruden as a franchise partner with consulting and advisory roles in all aspects of the team’s football and business operations.
“The Nashville Kats and the Arena Football One League are very excited to have someone with Jon’s experience and expertise and success to not only be part of the ownership but also take an active role in a variety of ways within the organization,” said Fisher, who also serves as AF1 commissioner, in a team release.
Gruden, 61, was coach of the Oakland Raiders (19989-2001), Tampa Bay Bucs (2002-08) and Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2018-21). He led the Bucs to a championship in Super Bowl XXXVII over Oakland and has been inducted into Tampa Bay’s Ring of Honor.
Gruden resigned from the Raiders during the 2021 season following media reports detailing use of derogatory language by him in emails.
Gruden currently works for Barstool Sports.
“I have been a fan of indoor football for a long time and jumped at the opportunity to be involved with Jeff and the Nashville Kats as part of the ownership group,” Gruden said in a release. “I have so much respect for what Jeff has done over his career and continues to do with the Nashville Kats as commissioner of AF1. I’m excited to be part of the team.”
Gruden also has ties with the current Titans coaching staff. Titans coach Brian Callahan’s father Bill was offensive coordinator for the Raiders under Gruden and later was promoted to coach.
Gruden’s brother, former Washington Commanders coach Jay Gruden, was an assistant for the Kats in 1997 before becoming coach of the Orlando Predators (1998-2001). As a player and coach, Jay Gruden was inducted into the Arena Football Hall of Fame.
“Obviously, I followed all of Jay’s playing and coaching days in Arena Football and knew how much he enjoyed all those years,” Gruden said. “I look forward to having that same kind of excitement with the Nashville Kats.”
The Nashville Kats (3-2) have won three games in a row, including an April 26 win over Southwest Kansas (41-17) in Dodge City. The Kats sit in third place, two games behind league-leading Albany Firebirds (6-0).
After an open week, the Kats return to action at Albany on May 10 with a 6 p.m. CT kickoff.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.