Heidelberg Athletics Hall of Fame
Born in Cleveland, Jim Gruden was simply a gifted athlete who loved the game, whichever game it may be.
A 1954 graduate of Orange High School, Gruden received his bachelor's degree at Heidelberg in 1958 before earning his master's at Indiana University in 1967. There was little doubt that Gruden could excel on the athletic field from day one at Orange High School where he would earn All-League honors at quarterback before serv- ing as captain of the basketball and golf squads.
The late great coach Paul Hoememann knew he had a blue chipper in Gruden when the talented signal caller slipped on the Heidelberg uniform. Gruden served as captain in 1957 a year that was filled with success for this year's inductee.
One major game came at Baldwin-Wallace when Gruden spoiled the homecoming ceremonies for the Jackets by piling up 122 yards in hitting eight of 15 in the air and one touchdown in a 31-6 romp. He would lead the Ohio Athletic Conference that season.
A veteran of 25 professional and collegiate football seasons, he is currently in his seventh year with the San Francisco 49ers as the south region scout. He joined the 49ers in 1987 following five seasons with Tampa Bay as director of player personnel (1984-88) and running backs coach (1982-83). Gruden joined the National Football League ranks in 1982 after serving 15 years of assistant collegiate coaching at Heidelberg (1966-68), University of Dayton (1969-72), Indiana University (1973-77) and Notre Dame University (1976-80). While at Dayton, he was an assistant coach under John McVay (49ers' Vice President-Football Administrator). While at Indiana Gruden was the running backs coach. He also handled coaching responsibilities for Notre Dame's running game.
His coaching career began as a football assistant at Fremont Ross High School in 1958. Six years later Gruden became the head coach at Galion High School before returning to Heidelberg in 1966 where he would serve as an assistant football coach and head golf coach. It was a big homecoming for Gruden who started three seasons for the Student Princes at quarterback in leading the team to a 24-3 record during those years.
But the football field was not the only successful stop for the talented Gruden while wearing the tricolor. He captured runner-up honors at the Ohio Athletic Conference Golf Championship twice and captained both golf and football squads.
Gruden and his wife, Kathy, have three grown sons including Jim, John, a Green Bay Packer assistant and Jay who graduated in 1988 as the University of Louisville's all-time leading passer.
(This profile appeared in the 1993 Hall of Fame Banquet program.)
