#davesdailychallenge (111): The Influencer Series – Jon Gruden. Jon Gruden is a man obsessed and that is why I like him. He is obsessed with the sport of football. The thing I take away from studying him is his unbelievable amount of preparation. There is probably no one on the planet, except perhaps the NFL itself, that has more game tape than Gruden…certainly no one that actually watches it on a consistent basis. Coaches, players, and owners alike come to him for advice on how to proceed with various situations. He has advised and coached some of the game’s best. You would think that this maniacal obsession to preparation would have ended with his playing and coaching days but you’d be wrong. He now leads @espn coverage of Monday Night Football and is famous for his work prior to the first snap. On Thursday mornings he gives a comprehensive breakdown to his team of their upcoming broadcast. He then provides a thorough “lesson plan” for the game, which includes player and team tendencies, angles, and breakdowns. Some of his colleagues, who have been in football and broadcasting for decades say they’ve never seen anything like it. 

Never underestimate the importance of preparation. Jon Gruden knows more about what the teams and players are going to do than they do by kick-off time. It is always a joy to watch someone who loves what they do and who is so damned good at it. Jon Gruden is one of those people.