"America is the land of second chances": Stephen A. Smith makes case for controversial Super Bowl-winning HC for Giants' head coaching vacancy

Stephen A. Smith believes the New York Giants should turn to one of the NFL’s most polarizing former coaches: Jon Gruden. During Friday's episode of his SiriusXM radio show, Smith argued that despite Gruden’s past “egregious” email scandal, the former Las Vegas Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach deserves another chance and should be considered for the Giants’ head coaching job.

“We have to ask ourselves, in the land of second chances, in America, and the people that have been given second chances … Jon Gruden has been a football guy forever,” Smith said.

Acknowledging Gruden’s offensive emails that surfaced in 2021, he added:

“Words hurt, and he shouldn’t have emailed those words, and that’s fine. Does it warrant a death sentence?”

Stephen A. Smith noted that Gruden’s fallout stemmed from messages leaked during the NFL’s investigation into former Washington executive Bruce Allen. Those emails included racist remarks about NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith, homophobic slurs and inappropriate exchanges involving Washington cheerleaders.

Gruden resigned in 2021 and has since engaged in a lengthy legal battle with the league. He resurfaced in 2024 through a YouTube channel and later joined Barstool Sports.

Despite the controversy, Smith pointed to Gruden’s coaching results. During his second stint with the Raiders, Gruden went from 4-12 to 8-8 before a 3-2 start in 2021.

“We know he would not be gone as an NFL coach if that hadn’t happened,” Smith said.

While stressing that Gruden “should have been ashamed of himself,” Stephen A. Smith argued that accountability and opportunity can coexist.

“We know about his transgressions. But is he in jail? Does he deserve a death sentence for what transpired?”

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Stephen A. Smith addresses his political commentary

Speaking on Friday's episode of "The Stephen A. Smith Show," Smith addressed a caller who inquired whether his political opinions could impact his ESPN audience. Smith, who hosts "First Take" on ESPN, said he clearly separates his roles.

“I don’t worry about it because first of all, it’s politics, it’s not sports," Smith said. "Secondly, I don’t bring it to ESPN."

Smith stressed that his approach is based on openness.

“I’m a reasonable human being,” Smith said. “I let you know how I feel … based on the facts that I have presented to me. But I’m open-minded to be corrected.”

“I’m not one of those dogged, rabid ideologues that’s stuck on one position,” he added. “If I’m wrong, I’ll say I’m wrong. If I’m corrected, I’ll say I’m corrected. And if I’m right, I’m not budging.”

Smith signed a five-year, $100 million deal with ESPN in March 2025, which granted him freedom beyond his role for the network.