Jon Gruden Shines Light on Jim Eustice in Viral Barstool Clip

UPDATE: Former NFL coach Jon Gruden just gave a heartfelt shoutout to Jim Eustice, his first quarterback, in a viral segment on Barstool Sports. The clip is making waves online, capturing the attention of football fans everywhere just moments after its release.

In the latest episode of Gruden’s show, he opened a box from Southeast Missouri State (SEMO) filled with memorabilia. With a nostalgic tone, Gruden exclaimed, “This box has a very special place in my heart… It’s where I got my first full-time coaching job.”

As he detailed the history of SEMO, Gruden highlighted Eustice’s role as the Redhawks’ quarterback, calling him “Jim ‘Freaking’ Eustice.” Eustice, now coaching at Mendota, was taken by surprise. “I was not expecting the ‘Jim Freaking Eustice’ there. It was pretty cool,” he said, noting that his social media has been buzzing since the clip dropped.

The emotional connection between Gruden and Eustice stems from their beginnings in March 1988, when Gruden was introduced as Eustice’s quarterbacks coach at SEMO. “Jon walked up to me, looked me right in the eye and said, ‘Jim, it’s great to meet you. I’m going to be an NFL head coach someday,’” Eustice recalled.

Their journey began under challenging circumstances; Gruden was living in a hotel and struggling to make ends meet before landing his NFL coaching job with the Oakland Raiders in 1998. Fast forward to now, and Gruden is a Super Bowl champion, having led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to victory in 2002.

Eustice, who played a pivotal role in Gruden’s first coaching chapter, also experienced personal success, breaking SEMO’s season passing record during their time together. “I think we broke the 23-year-old season passing record with 1,800 or 1,900 yards,” he stated proudly.

Gruden’s coaching methods, especially his film breakdown techniques, left a lasting impact on Eustice. “He had boxes of old 16MM reels. We would watch film for hours,” Eustice explained, emphasizing how Gruden’s passion for the game shaped his own career.

The bond between the two remains strong, with Eustice regularly reaching out to Gruden. “I told him I was taking over a new program, we need to talk sometime. He said, ‘Let’s do that,’” Eustice shared, hinting at the ongoing mentorship.

In an additional layer of connection, Eustice is mentioned in Gruden’s book, “Do You Love Football?: Winning with Heart, Passion, and Not Much Sleep.” Eustice treasures the signed copy, which reads, “Jim, thanks for getting me started, Coach Gruden.”

As this heartwarming story continues to circulate online, fans are eagerly engaging with the clip and sharing their thoughts. The unexpected recognition from Gruden not only celebrates their shared history but also highlights the deep bonds formed in the world of football.

Stay tuned as this story develops, and watch for more reactions from fans and former players as they celebrate the legacy of Gruden and Eustice.