MNF’s Gruden and Tirico return to San Diego, site of ‘Super’ memories

As far as business trips go, San Diego is a pretty great place to visit.

Perfect weather, sunny skies and that cool Southern California vibe.

For Monday Night Football’s Jon Gruden and Mike Tirico — who will call tonight’s Denver Broncos vs. San Diego Chargers game (8:30 p.m. ET) — this week’s NFL trip is special for another reason.

Gruden experienced the greatest highlight of his NFL coaching career at San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium in 2003.

His Tampa Bay Buccaneers captured Super Bowl XXXVII with a 48-21 victory over the Oakland Raiders, the team he had coached just a season earlier.

When Gruden hoisted the Lombardi Trophy after the game, it was Tirico, the host of ABC’s postgame coverage, who stood beside him on the podium as Gruden became (at the time) the youngest Super Bowl-winning head coach in NFL history.

A decade later, Tirico and Gruden are back in San Diego as broadcast partners on MNF. In the video above, they reflect upon that special night and the irony of now working together on ESPN.

Note: The Los Angeles Times also had this interview with Gruden today.

Video produced by Dave Williams and Bill Hofheimer.