NFL commentator signs as Oakland Raiders coach in record deal

New Oakland Raiders coach John Gruden. Photo / Getty Images.

Jon Gruden will leave the ESPN commentary booth and return to the NFL coaching ranks for the longest and largest contract for any coach in league history.

The Oakland Raiders have officially announced the appointment of their former coach Gruden, with the deal reported to be $100m (NZ$139m) guaranteed over 10 years.

Raiders owner Mark Davis is also expected to sign four-year deals with top assistants, according to the reports, that will keep them in place as the club prepares for a move to Las Vegas after the 2018 season.

The Raiders will introduce Gruden at a Tuesday (Wednesday NZT) news conference.

Gruden, 54, is the brother of Jay Gruden, who coaches the NFL Washington Redskins. Jon Gruden was hired in 2009 to serve as a commentator on ESPN's "Monday Night Football." Gruden, who began his coaching career with the Raiders in 1998, will replace Jack Del Rio, who was fired following a season-ending loss to the Los Angeles Chargers that capped a disappointing 6-10 campaign.

In 11 NFL seasons as a head coach, Gruden is 95-81. He served as an assistant coach for the Green Bay Packers before taking command of the Raiders in 1998.

After going 40-28 in four seasons at Oakland, Gruden replaced the fired Tony Dungy as coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002 as part of a trade deal that saw the Raiders receive two first-round NFL Draft picks, two second-round choices and $8 million.

Gruden guided the Buccaneers to the 2003 Super Bowl title, defeating Oakland 48-21 in the championship contest. He spent seven seasons with Tampa Bay before being fired in January 2009.