TAMPA, Fla. — Jon Gruden was vacationing in the Great Smoky Mountains on Thursday when he learned that his name was going to be elevated to rare but familiar heights at Raymond James Stadium.

The Bucs announced that Gruden, their Super Bowl 37-winning head coach, was returning to the team’s Ring of Honor four years after his name was removed by the club.

“I got a chance to get reconnected this (past) season at a game with the Buccaneers,” Gruden told the Tampa Bay Times on Thursday. “Some of my best memories in life were at Raymond James Stadium with the Bucs, and it’s a great feeling and a great honor.”

The Bucs released a statement Thursday announcing the decision.

“Jon Gruden was initially inducted into the Bucs Ring of Honor based on his many accomplishments during his seven seasons as our head coach and he remains a significant figure in the history of our franchise,” the team said in a statement. ”Upon further reflection, we have decided to reinstate him into the Buccaneers Ring of Honor."

In 2021, the Bucs announced they were removing Gruden from the Ring a day after he resigned as Raiders coach following the release of emails that used racist, homophobic and misogynistic terms.

“While we acknowledge Jon Gruden’s contributions on the field, his actions go against our core values as an organization,” a team statement read at the time. “Therefore, he will no longer continue to be a member of the Buccaneers Ring of Honor.”

But Gruden and members of the Glazer family were reunited at a celebration of life on July 20 for former Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, who died at age 84.

At the memorial, Kiffin’s son — Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin — spoke about his father’s ability to forgive and award players and coaches second chances.

Apparently that struck a chord with the Glazer family, which invited Gruden and his wife, Cindy, to the Bucs game against San Francisco Nov. 10. The Bucs lost 23-20, but Gruden watched the game from the Glazers’ suite.

“My wife is a big Baker Mayfield fan,” Gruden said. “(Bucs general manager) Jason Licht has done a great job putting that team together. Hopefully, they have a chance to win it all one day.”

Since leaving the Raiders, Gruden has continued to study the game with his vast library of video in his Fired Football Coaches Association office in Tampa. He started the Gruden Loves Football podcast, which analyzes NFL games and players. He also signed a multi-year deal with Barstool Sports, where he shares his football knowledge and strategies with employees. He also appeared in Barstool’s Rundown segment.

“I’m happy for Coach Gru,” said Hall of Famer Ronde Barber, who played for Gruden on the Bucs' first Super Bowl-winning team. “I’ve been around a lot of great coaches and Jon’s accomplishments speak for themselves on the football field and more importantly in the locker room.

“Above all, he is a true Tampa champion. I believe he has the love of the people and we should all be excited about this decision to welcome him back to his place in the ROH.”

Once the youngest coach to win a Super Bowl, Gruden is now 61 and has frequently discussed his desire to coach a football team again. He served as a consultant with the Saints in 2023, working with former Raiders quarterback Derek Carr.

Gruden said Thursday that he is a big fan of the Bucs offense, which was among the best in the NFL under offensive coordinator Liam Coen last season, averaging 29.5 points per game.

”I wish I could be the offensive coordinator of a team like that," Gruden said. “I would just hand it to (running back) Bucky Irving. What a great player. I didn’t realize how powerful he is. He’s a little like Napoleon Kaufman, Charlie Gardner and Warrick Dunn all rolled into one. I love the offensive line that they’ve got, and I’ve got a lot of respect for the job they’ve done.”

A return to the Ring seemed inevitable after Gruden’s reunion with the Glazers and the team in November. Work crews will be returning his name to RayJay soon. There will be no new ceremony.

Gruden said he still is humbled by the honor.

“All I can say is that it’s a great honor,” Gruden said. “And I’m very appreciative.”

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