Jon Gruden Endorsed Jon Husted at Campaign Rally
Former NFL coach Jon Gruden expressed his support for Jon Husted during a recent appearance.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Football
Live Poll
Do you believe state election outcomes should focus primarily on local business growth and development?
Former NFL coach Jon Gruden publicly endorsed Jon Husted at a Donald Trump campaign rally. The two men previously played together as teammates at the University of Dayton.
Why it matters
Gruden backed Husted by stating the candidate is someone who will not quit on people. Husted is currently running for office against Sherrod Brown with a platform centered on tax cuts.
Ohio has climbed to a 1st place business climate ranking compared to its prior standing at 34th. Jon Husted and Jon Gruden were teammates on the University of Dayton football squad in 1985.
The players
Jon Gruden
He is a former head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Las Vegas Raiders who previously played football at the University of Dayton.
Jon Husted
He is a former Ohio state government official who is currently running in a contested race against Sherrod Brown.
Donald Trump
He is the current President of the United States who hosted the campaign rally where the endorsement occurred.
Sherrod Brown
He is the political opponent currently facing Jon Husted in the upcoming election.
The details
During the rally, Husted introduced Gruden to the crowd before the endorsement was announced. Husted highlighted his policy focus on improving the business environment and implementing tax cuts as key parts of his campaign.
Timeline
In 1985, Husted and Gruden played on the same football team.
Gruden resigned from the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021.
Gruden endorsed Husted at a rally on October 3, 2026.
The election for the contested race is November 3, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The endorsement highlights the political success tied to the Ohio business climate ranking, a metric often cited in state economic debates. It follows a pattern where candidates leverage state-level economic achievements to solidify their appeal during high-profile political events.
The upcoming election on November 3, 2026, will determine which candidate secures the seat against Sherrod Brown. Voters are weighing the effectiveness of current economic policies, which have purportedly moved the state to a 1st place business ranking, against competing platform proposals.
The takeaway
Campaign endorsements from high-profile figures often serve to energize the base and highlight key platform successes. Voters should continue to evaluate how specific state rankings and policy proposals translate into practical economic outcomes for their families.
Further reading
For more on the state of the season, see our coverage of Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dayton Daily News.
Live Poll
Do you believe state election outcomes should focus primarily on local business growth and development?
