Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden has returned to football broadcasting while continuing his work with Barstool Sports, bringing renewed attention to his life away from the field, including his marriage to Cindy Gruden. The couple have been married since July 1991 and share three sons, having spent more than three decades together through Gruden’s coaching and television career.
In September 2026, Gruden discussed his future in professional football and said he would consider returning to coaching only for an exceptional opportunity. The 63-year-old former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Las Vegas Raiders coach has instead focused on broadcasting projects, including a new football show with his younger brother, Jay Gruden.
Cindy, a former University of Tennessee cheerleader, has maintained a relatively private life while supporting her husband’s professional career. The couple have also participated in charitable initiatives involving children, education and community organizations.
Who Is Jon Gruden’s Wife Cindy Gruden?
Cindy Gruden, formerly Cindy Brooks, is best known as the longtime wife of Super Bowl-winning football coach Jon Gruden. She attended the University of Tennessee, where she was involved in cheerleading and student activities.
The couple met in 1985 when Jon was working as a graduate assistant coach at Tennessee. Cindy was a student at the university, and their relationship developed during the early years of his coaching career.
They married on July 6, 1991, after several years together. At the time, Jon was establishing himself as an offensive assistant in college football before moving into the NFL.
Cindy has largely stayed outside the entertainment and sports media spotlight. Details about her age and current professional activities have not been consistently documented in reliable public records.
Jon and Cindy Gruden Have Three Sons
Jon and Cindy Gruden are parents to three sons, Jon II, Michael and Jayson Gruden.
Their eldest son, Jon II, is commonly known as Deuce Gruden. He followed his father into professional football, although his career has focused on strength and conditioning rather than offensive coaching.
Deuce previously worked with the Washington football organization and the Raiders. He also competed in powerlifting and won a gold medal at the 2017 International Powerlifting Federation World Classic Powerlifting Championships in the junior 83-kilogram category.
The couple’s younger sons, Michael and Jayson, have maintained more private lives. Both grew up during their father’s coaching assignments with the Raiders and Buccaneers.
The family spent part of Jon’s first Raiders tenure living in Pleasanton, California. They later became closely associated with Tampa, where Gruden led the Buccaneers to their first Super Bowl championship.
Cindy Gruden Has Supported Community and Charity Programs
Throughout Jon Gruden’s coaching career, Cindy has participated in community initiatives connected to the teams he represented.
The couple have supported organizations including the American Red Cross, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
They have also helped organize activities for young people, including football camps and community events.
Their charitable involvement has extended to programs supporting youth sports. Gruden’s Fired Football Coaches Association has provided assistance and recognition to high school football programs and coaches.
Cindy’s participation in these activities has been documented in her husband’s official coaching biographies, although she has generally avoided extensive media interviews about her personal life.
Jon Gruden Returns to Broadcasting While His NFL Lawsuit Continues
Gruden’s professional career has remained a subject of public attention since his departure from the Las Vegas Raiders in October 2021.
He resigned after emails containing racist, homophobic and misogynistic language became public. The messages had been uncovered during an NFL investigation involving the Washington football organization.
Gruden subsequently filed a lawsuit against the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell, alleging that the league was responsible for leaking the emails. The NFL has denied the allegations.
In November 2024, Gruden joined Barstool Sports, where he began producing football-related content and discussing NFL games.
His broadcasting work expanded in 2026. In July, Barstool announced that his brother Jay would join him for the Gruden Family Football Show.
On August 22, Gruden returned to an NFL broadcast booth as a play-by-play announcer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He worked alongside former Buccaneers defensive back Ronde Barber.
In September, Gruden addressed the possibility of returning to coaching during an appearance on Scripps Sports Network.
“I’m not fighting to go just to coach anywhere; I don’t want to go work in any city, I just don’t want to,” Gruden said.
He added, “I got a nice life here, I got a hell of a team, Barstool Sports is undefeated, man, you know, it would take a hell of an opportunity for me to come back, I don’t need to do it.”
Gruden remains active with Barstool Sports, while his lawsuit against the NFL is scheduled for trial in May 2027. Cindy Gruden continues to maintain a private profile, and no publicly confirmed change to the couple’s marital status has been reported.