ALAMEDA -- Jon Gruden said he had a good talk with Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis about a return to the organization for a second stint as coach and believes there is a "good chance" it will happen.
Gruden did an interview with ESPN Radio on Wednesday to discuss his pursuit of the job that opened up when Jack Del Rio was fired after a disappointing six-win season.
"It's been a grind," Gruden said. "It's been a long couple of weeks. I know they've gone through their process of interviewing candidates, and until they're done I won't know. I did have a good meeting with Mark. I've known him a long time and have a lot of respect for the Raider organization."
Gruden has been out of coaching for the past nine years while serving as an analyst for ESPN's "Monday Night Football." He is scheduled to work the playoff game Saturday in Kansas City between the Chiefs and Tennessee Titans, and could come back to the Raiders as soon as next week.
"I think there's a good chance," he said. "I'm excited about where I am in terms of studying the game and trying to prepare to come back and coach. I just don't want to sit here and speculate."
Gruden is apparently trying to put together a staff. Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said he expects defensive coordinator Paul Guenther to interview with Oakland "at some point."
Gruden spent four seasons as coach in Oakland from 1998 to 2001. After leading the Raiders to 8-8 records his first two years, Gruden helped the team reach the AFC title game following the 2000 season and got Oakland back into the playoffs the following season.
His tenure ended shortly after the "Tuck Rule" loss to the New England Patriots when he was traded the following month to Tampa Bay for two first-round picks, two second-rounders and $8 million.
Gruden beat the Raiders in the Super Bowl in his first season with the Buccaneers but didn't win another playoff game for Tampa Bay in his final six seasons. He has a career record of 95-81.
The Raiders are required to follow the Rooney Rule and interview at least one minority candidate, or face discipline from the NFL. The team has had no comment on the search, but it's possible that interview has already happened.
Gruden dismissed suggestions that he would receive an ownership stake as part of the deal.
This wouldn't be the first time that the Raiders brought back a coach for a second stint. Late owner Al Davis hired Art Shell in 2006, 11 years after firing him the first time. Shell went 2-14 that season and was fired after one year.
Other teams have also done it, with the most notable recent example being Joe Gibbs with the Washington Redskins. Gibbs retired at the end of the 1992 season with three Super Bowl titles. He came back in 2004 and had a 30-34 record in four seasons, leading Washington to two playoff appearances.