TAMPA — Six years ago, the Buccaneers told Jon Gruden to hit the road.
Instead, he hit paydirt.
The charismatic coach who led the 2002 Bucs to a Super Bowl title has reinvented himself as a TV megastar and marketing mogul since his dismissal after a 9-7 season in 2008. As Gruden prepares for his role as ESPN analyst in tonight’s preseason matchup between Tampa Bay and Cincinnati at Raymond James Stadium, the contrasts between his personal success and the travails of the team he left behind are glaring.
“It’s amazing how he’s now the face of ‘Monday Night Football,’ ” said former Bucs defensive tackle Anthony “Booger’’ McFarland, who will serve as a TV analyst on SEC football games this fall.