Mike Ditka: Jon Gruden faces 'big challenge' in Oakland Raiders return
Mike Ditka
Mike Ditka  who knows the perils of coaching after a layoff   said  he  likes Jon Gruden’s chances of succeeding as new head coach of the Oakland Raiders. But  Ditka  suggested  it  won’t be easy for Gruden  who will be officially introduced as the Raiders coach Tuesday after a nine-year absence from the sidelines.
“ It ’s a helluva challenge ’’  Ditka  told USA TODAY Sports on Monday. “Let’s face  it .  It ’s a big challenge  and I think  he ’s up to  it .’’
A return to the sidelines for  Ditka  failed spectacularly.  He  was 106-62 as head coach of the Chicago Bears from 1982 to 1992 and  after a four-year hiatus  15-33 as head coach with the New Orleans Saints from 1997 to 1999.
 Mike Ditka  had a 15-33 record in three seasons as coach of the Saints. (Photo: ROBERT HANASHIRO  USA TODAY)
Recalling the experiment   Ditka  said a lack of desire undermined  him .
“I think there’s a lot of ego involved  although you hate to admit  it  ’’  he  said. “I want to prove I can still do  it  and this and that. But if the heart’s not in it  I mean totally in it. ... It’s really hard to say  ‘Oh  I’m going to amp it up and then everything will be fine.’ It doesn’t work that way.’’
A lack of desire wasn’t the only issue   Ditka  said.
“Personnel is where we really screwed up ’’  he  said. “I thought that I could really get by with the quarterbacks we had. ... I had every guy named Billy Bob in the world. So put  it  this way   it  was an experience.
“They’re glad  it ’s over and I’m pretty glad  it ’s over  too.’’
The Raiders have Derek Carr  not a Billy Bob  at quarterback  and  Ditka  said  he  expects Gruden to invigorate the Raiders’ offense and elevate the entire team.
“It’s a great job ’’  Ditka  said. “It’s a great opportunity for him.’’
[TGT]said  [TGT]  likes Jon Gruden’s chances of succeeding as new head coach of the Oakland Raiders. But  [TGT]suggested  [TGT]  won’t be easy for Gruden  who will be officially introduced as the Raiders coach Tuesday after a nine-year absence from the sidelines.
“ [TGT] ’s a helluva challenge ’’  [TGT]told USA TODAY Sports on Monday. “Let’s face  [TGT] .  [TGT] ’s a big challenge  and I think  [TGT] ’s up to  [TGT] .’’
A return to the sidelines for  [TGT]failed spectacularly.  [TGT]  was 106-62 as head coach of the Chicago Bears from 1982 to 1992 and  after a four-year hiatus  15-33 as head coach with the New Orleans Saints from 1997 to 1999.
 [TGT]had a 15-33 record in three seasons as coach of the Saints. (Photo: ROBERT HANASHIRO  USA TODAY)
Recalling the experiment   [TGT]said a lack of desire undermined  [TGT] .
“I think there’s a lot of ego involved  although you hate to admit  [TGT]  ’’  [TGT]  said. “I want to prove I can still do  [TGT]  and this and that. But if the heart’s not in it  I mean totally in it. ... It’s really hard to say  ‘Oh  I’m going to amp it up and then everything will be fine.’ It doesn’t work that way.’’
A lack of desire wasn’t the only issue   [TGT]said.
“Personnel is where we really screwed up ’’  [TGT]  said. “I thought that I could really get by with the quarterbacks we had. ... I had every guy named Billy Bob in the world. So put  [TGT]  this way   [TGT]  was an experience.
“They’re glad  [TGT] ’s over and I’m pretty glad  [TGT] ’s over  too.’’
The Raiders have Derek Carr  not a Billy Bob  at quarterback  and  [TGT]said  [TGT]  expects Gruden to invigorate the Raiders’ offense and elevate the entire team.
“It’s a great job ’’  [TGT]said. “It’s a great opportunity for him.’’