Agree, I have to say I always wanted him gone, but thinking back he had very good teams, always missing that one critical piece QB. With that said I now have a lot of respect for Fontes. Looks great @ 84.
I’m a 45yr old lifelong Lions fan and while Wayne would never publicly admonish the franchise, he was handcuffed during their best window to win a Super Bowl by ownership and the front office. They let core glue guys like Ray Crockett (later an all-pro and SB champion), Erik Kramer (Scott Mitchell’s contract/playoff disasters/out of shape etc destroyed that team), and finally the nail in the coffin: Kevin Glover. Glover was Barry’s best friend and Barry never felt the same when they let him go to Seattle, but when the franchise truly lost him was when they replaced Wayne with Bobby Ross. Absolutely love that Jon had Fontes on here, and I imagine their relationship started in Tampa Bay when Jon’s dad was a coach (and later the player personnel director) and Wayne was a defensive coach and coordinator (before leaving to become the Lions’ DC in 1985. I couldn’t find anything online to verify this but the years match to when Jim Gruden and Wayne were coaching in Tampa. Wayne looks amazing for 84 and is still extremely sharp. This was a real treat for me, thanks Jon.
Your Grandpa was a winner made the Lions respectable during his coaching tenure. Be proud of him for who he is as a man. Absolutely the most positive coach any NFL team ever had. Fantastic to see this interview had to watch this.
Legend, he autographed my uncles airline ticket in tampa 30 yrs ago which i still have today at 41 yrs old. My uncle said he had a good buzz on that flight but so did wayne shooting the shit talking sports lol class act, which u she is what u get. To me thats the best type of human beibg. Hense, the love of dan campbell in detroit
Jon YOU'RE MISSED and LOVED. Your knowledge of the game and insights are awesome! I loved the Coach Wayne Fontes years. IT'S RING SEASON💙 D E T R O I T💙
So many stories. This was awesome! And I’m a Packer fan. Was born in the early 80’s so I grew up watching those 90’s Lions teams against the Packers. Much respect to Coach Fontes!
Let's go Gruden! Raider Nation still loves you! This is the kind of content I love, getting to see some of the less well known faces from the NFL's past. Thanks for bringing it to us
Washington fan for life but I always had a soft spot for Fontes. He has a great presence. I'm surprised he wasn't more of a TV personality for the NFL.
Wow; that was so great. I am so thankful for this interview. Being 60, yeah, this was so meaningful and loved walking back through my years, decades, of watching the Lions and hearing from Wayne Fonts was such a treat. Thank you so much.
I watched this entire interview with a smile on my face...brought back some (believe it or not) awesome childhood memories...although our Lions never won the big one with Wayne, they were still OUR Lions and we loved them. It only makes what they are doing now, that much sweeter! Thank you Jon for doing this interview!
I absolutely llove Wayne, met him when they were here to play the Cardinals, and got a Christmas card from him.what a joy to watch him on this,he is funny,smart and one of my favorite coaches. Thanks for this interview, it brings back memories. Hope you are there for the celebration when they win it all.
Wayne Fontes was my Favorite coach ever! I can't tell you how many years...decades! I wished and cried for him to come back! We got Dan now and he reminds me so much of Wayne's roll and swagger! Nice to see my man looking good still! Thanks Jon! Your as personable an interviewer as you are a coach.
Super Cool interview with coach Fontes. His stories are fantastic! Those Detroit Lions teams of the 90's provided many great memories but also provided a lot of heartache as well. If only the "TEAM" had an above average Quarterback to play with him for all those years, coach Fontes would have definitely reached the Super Bowl. Thanks, coach Gruden for sitting down with coach Fontes. I actually wrote coach Fontes a letter after the bad start in 95' encouraging the team to stay the course. He actually wrote me back and filled the envelope with some goodies. I still have it.
Barry Sanders, Hermon Moore, Paremen, Chris Speilman, Mel grey, Bennie Blades, Lomas Brown. Had Wayne ever got the QB right, he'd of won A lot more games than he did. Or maybe if he'd of kept Eric Kramer instead of trading him to the bears for NOTHING!!! We Still Love Wayne though.
Can’t believe I’m just seeing this Jon. Holy cow I’m excited to watch this. Wayne was the first Detroit Lions Head Coach of my childhood and naturally the Lions being good I have fond memories of him. Appreciate this interview!
When I think of the Lions in the 90s when I was a kid watching Lions vs Cowboys on Thanksgiving, I think of Barry Sanders and Coach Wayne Fontes, thank you for the NFL History Coach Gruden! Salute 🫡
Caught you on barstool coach and you were awesome. Perhaps the nfl is freezing you out in terms of coaching, but keep doing what you're doing. I find this to be an opportunity for fans to hear the real inside. When I watch belechick I feel a bit the same as in we get a real insider. I love listening to guys like Florio, but it's the next level hearing a coach especially one who was at least a bit GM like.
Thank you so much Mr Jon Gruden. This is what Christmas is all about. Thank you Mr Wayne Fontes for your sacrifice and hard work coaching my Lions. My Lions are going to the Superbowl
Phenomenal interview!!!! Super rad of you for bringing on Coach Fontes John!!! Always awesome to hear from coach and especially during this timeline when we are absolutely staking claim in the NFL! GO LIONS
We ran into Wayne at a restaurant in Florida about 20 years ago. I didnt want to bother him but my dad had to go talk to him. My dad said: "We miss you in Detroit. We actually won when you were our coach!" Wayne was very pleasant and humble. He smiled and simply said: "Thank you!" Wayne is an awesome dude and I'll never forget that draft with Barry in it and the time Wayne coached the Lions.
Im 41, my early childhood memories was wayne fontes as the lions coach, always loved him as a kid cause he was funny, accountable and engaging. As an adult i feel the same way about ole wayne. Gem of a guy!!!! Go lions!!! One pride.....cmon god u owe us at least a superbowl appearance lol the suffering was so bad for so long
I've always remember Wayne fontes and the battles he had with Mike Ditka and the Bears it was amazing Bears would win some Lyons would win some it was a good rivalry.
Thanks for doing this, Mr Gruden. Love watching your stuff. Thanks for interviewing a truly decent man, Wayne Fontes. We had some success with Wayne here and there, which was duly appreciated, but nothing like what we long-suffering Lions fans are enjoying now. Bests and thx again, Coach G. This die hard 48 year fan would love to have you on our staff sometime, that is if you're willing to take the pay cut. Lol. 😜
Jon! what an awesome interview, please bring back Wayne in Lions make big game please!!! brought back so many fun memories even when we came up short, we woke up every sunday thinking Why not us ? in the 90's
I met him at AJ’s Sports Bar on Ulmerton Road in Largo Florida and he is exactly the same. What a Great man and is exuberant to the point that he spreads joy to everyone. Yes he likes his cigars and drinks too! Big time respect to his knowledge of sports gambling too!! I just went and bought some Lions stock. Thanks Wayne. I remember he was at West Catholic (Visitation Church) in Bay City Michigan as well.
22:22 Wayne telling a story about Barry Sanders getting a first down off of a broken play and Gruden says, “That’s great coaching, man.” 😂😂😂 Love his sense of humor.
Wayne Fontes!! Let’s go!!! Throughout the years of Mornhinweg, Patricia, and Mariucci my main phrase I would heckle them at the games was “Bring back Wayne Fontes!!”. We loved Wayne… still do.
So sharp for 84. Thanks for all you did for the game Coach Fontes!
I thought you were talking about Sterling. I still think back to that damn play. Starter kit for a lions fan in that era.
He is 100x sharper than biden who was born late in 1942. Wayne was born almost 3 years earlier.
@@MGAF688 Can't you leave politics out of anything? Jesus, it's like a disease.
Just so much enthusiasm. He would’ve been successful in any walk of life.
Been a Lions fan my entire life, it's so good to hear from the big buck himself, Wayne Fontes. Restore the Roar
Same bro💯🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁
And THATS how ypu can tell a true fan.... calling him The Big Buck. Love it. GO LIONS
Facts bro one voice one pride
The papers were always calling for him to be fired, but those teams loved him and they always went on a late season run to get in the playoffs
Agree, I have to say I always wanted him gone, but thinking back he had very good teams, always missing that one critical piece QB. With that said I now have a lot of respect for Fontes. Looks great @ 84.
This was a coach that I rooted for just as much as the Lions teams in that era. Very likeable guy and a great sense of humor.
I’m a 45yr old lifelong Lions fan and while Wayne would never publicly admonish the franchise, he was handcuffed during their best window to win a Super Bowl by ownership and the front office. They let core glue guys like Ray Crockett (later an all-pro and SB champion), Erik Kramer (Scott Mitchell’s contract/playoff disasters/out of shape etc destroyed that team), and finally the nail in the coffin: Kevin Glover. Glover was Barry’s best friend and Barry never felt the same when they let him go to Seattle, but when the franchise truly lost him was when they replaced Wayne with Bobby Ross.
Absolutely love that Jon had Fontes on here, and I imagine their relationship started in Tampa Bay when Jon’s dad was a coach (and later the player personnel director) and Wayne was a defensive coach and coordinator (before leaving to become the Lions’ DC in 1985. I couldn’t find anything online to verify this but the years match to when Jim Gruden and Wayne were coaching in Tampa.
Wayne looks amazing for 84 and is still extremely sharp. This was a real treat for me, thanks Jon.
Gruden, you're the man for this interview!! Thank you! GO LIONS!
THATS MY GRANDPA 😍 Love seeing all the love he still gets. GO LIONS 💙💙
Please tell your Grandpa, thanks for being loyal to us here in Detroit!!! Would love to see him on TV!! Glad to see him in good health!!!
I'm 64 years old. I loved your Grandpa
I’d love to ask him like a million questions.
Your Grandpa was a winner made the Lions respectable during his coaching tenure. Be proud of him for who he is as a man. Absolutely the most positive coach any NFL team ever had. Fantastic to see this interview had to watch this.
Legend, he autographed my uncles airline ticket in tampa 30 yrs ago which i still have today at 41 yrs old. My uncle said he had a good buzz on that flight but so did wayne shooting the shit talking sports lol class act, which u she is what u get. To me thats the best type of human beibg. Hense, the love of dan campbell in detroit
Epic interview. Wayne Fontes is a gem. What a class act. Go Lions!! This is your year.
Man I haven't seen Fontes pop up in forever. Genuinely made me so happy to see him.
Fontes is a real character! I know his guys still love him. Thanks for this, Jon!
LOVE YA WAYNE!!! Thank You Sir!!!
Thank you Jon... I am a 68 year old Lions fan and Wayne was special... but I have to tell you, that you Sir are as well...
Those Barry stories got me feeling real nicey. Wish Coach could’ve made it all the way with us, glad he’s in good health.
This is great content!
Jon is a great interviewer and Wayne is a legend. Wayne needs to be on TV!
I met Wayne at a training camp back in the early 90s. What a pleasure. Fantastic personality.
How Jason Hanson is not in the pro football hall of fame is beyond me...
Eddie Murray, Janson Hanson and now Jake Bates. At least the Lions have been blessed with great kickers
This interview made my heart soar. Thank you, Jon Gruden!
Good interview. Like two old friends having a good old visit.
Jon YOU'RE MISSED and LOVED. Your knowledge of the game and insights are awesome! I loved the Coach Wayne Fontes years. IT'S RING SEASON💙 D E T R O I T💙
I’ve been thinking about him so-much over the last 3 Seasons!
He’s still amazing!
Thankya so much Coach Gruden!!
Thank you for bringing in Coach Wayne. This is what I was missing leading up to the game. Keep up the superb work Coach Gruden.
Live this so much. Glad you interviewed Wayne. Glad he looks so good.
When you see the name Wayne Fontes you immediately think Detroit Lions, period!…a Detroit legend and fan favorite, great interview Jon!
Lifelong Saints fan but I remember the Wayne Fontes teams with Barry Sanders, Herman Moore, etc. And I remember Chris Berman’s love for “Rasputin”!
The wisdom from these two great coaches is so cool to listen to. Gruden ur the man keep these interviews up!
Awesome Mr. Gruden, blast from the past! First coach i remember while watching my lions
So many stories. This was awesome! And I’m a Packer fan. Was born in the early 80’s so I grew up watching those 90’s Lions teams against the Packers. Much respect to Coach Fontes!
Sitting here grinning from ear to ear listening to Wayne. He was a legend. So happy to see him. Thank you Mr Gruden.
Two great football coaches.
Let's go Gruden! Raider Nation still loves you! This is the kind of content I love, getting to see some of the less well known faces from the NFL's past. Thanks for bringing it to us
Washington fan for life but I always had a soft spot for Fontes. He has a great presence. I'm surprised he wasn't more of a TV personality for the NFL.
Wow; that was so great. I am so thankful for this interview. Being 60, yeah, this was so meaningful and loved walking back through my years, decades, of watching the Lions and hearing from Wayne Fonts was such a treat. Thank you so much.
Pure class. Having discovered the NFL recently there is so much history to learn for me, love these 'lessons' more than anything.
I was not expecting an in person interview. Thanks for this.
What an interview! Great to hear a Detroit story while their Red Hot and Thriving.
I watched this entire interview with a smile on my face...brought back some (believe it or not) awesome childhood memories...although our Lions never won the big one with Wayne, they were still OUR Lions and we loved them. It only makes what they are doing now, that much sweeter! Thank you Jon for doing this interview!
Gruden is dropping jewels man. Love the content. Keep on grinding, makes me feel nicey!
My Uncle Wayne ❤.. what you see is what you get. Every family gathering he tells stories and jokes and is an absolute riot. Go Lions
I absolutely llove Wayne, met him when they were here to play the Cardinals, and got a Christmas card from him.what a joy to watch him on this,he is funny,smart and one of my favorite coaches. Thanks for this interview, it brings back memories. Hope you are there for the celebration when they win it all.
Thank you for this Jon. So great to see and hear from our loved uncle Wayne.
Wayne Fontes was my Favorite coach ever! I can't tell you how many years...decades! I wished and cried for him to come back! We got Dan now and he reminds me so much of Wayne's roll and swagger! Nice to see my man looking good still! Thanks Jon! Your as personable an interviewer as you are a coach.
I really enjoy Gruden's channel. He is fun to watch. Thanful for this interview with coach Fontes!
Love You Coach. Thank you for letting the old salts speak. I'm always learning listening to you. Thanks Again
Gruden bringing on the coolest Lions guest possible
Amazing interview! Two of the best NFL coaches of All time! Great stories. Thanks !
Great interview, thank you! I remember Wayne well. Wish the Lions would go back to the Wayne Fontes era uniforms. Classics.
Seahawks fan here, I’m so glad I found your show coach Gruden
I’m in the heart of football country. Portsmouth Ohio.
Absolutely love hearing about the Lions so much. I'm 52 and been a fan since I was a kid.
Super Cool interview with coach Fontes. His stories are fantastic! Those Detroit Lions teams of the 90's provided many great memories but also provided a lot of heartache as well. If only the "TEAM" had an above average Quarterback to play with him for all those years, coach Fontes would have definitely reached the Super Bowl.
Thanks, coach Gruden for sitting down with coach Fontes. I actually wrote coach Fontes a letter after the bad start in 95' encouraging the team to stay the course. He actually wrote me back and filled the envelope with some goodies. I still have it.
We love you Wayne Fontz . You were such a wonderful coach and person
Barry Sanders, Hermon Moore, Paremen, Chris Speilman, Mel grey, Bennie Blades, Lomas Brown. Had Wayne ever got the QB right, he'd of won A lot more games than he did. Or maybe if he'd of kept Eric Kramer instead of trading him to the bears for NOTHING!!! We Still Love Wayne though.
I could listen to Coach Fontes talk all day! The stories he has about the old Lions is special.
What a great interview Couch Gruden and thank you Couch Fontes for what you did for the lions in your time and now
LOVED THIS!!! Thanks Coach Gruden for doing this.
Can’t believe I’m just seeing this Jon. Holy cow I’m excited to watch this. Wayne was the first Detroit Lions Head Coach of my childhood and naturally the Lions being good I have fond memories of him. Appreciate this interview!
Still love Wayne Fontes - this interview just adds to that love.
Thank you two coaches for coming together for this amazing interview!!!
When I think of the Lions in the 90s when I was a kid watching Lions vs Cowboys on Thanksgiving, I think of Barry Sanders and Coach Wayne Fontes, thank you for the NFL History Coach Gruden! Salute 🫡
The Best Coach, Converser and Cook, Coach Gru does it all!! XOXO 🥰🎶
Great interview in so many ways, can't help but love loveable coach Wayne Fontes, especially for Lions fans. Chuckie, you're not too bad either.
Legendary stories right here
Loved Wayne Fontes back in the day! Always enjoyed your sense of humor and you had me laughing in this talk.
Good to see you Coach!! God Bless.
Thank you for this, prior to this current team the Wayne Fontes era was our glory years
Luv you Wayne. Thanks for the years you gave the Lions. And thank you Jon for doing this interview.
Caught you on barstool coach and you were awesome. Perhaps the nfl is freezing you out in terms of coaching, but keep doing what you're doing. I find this to be an opportunity for fans to hear the real inside. When I watch belechick I feel a bit the same as in we get a real insider. I love listening to guys like Florio, but it's the next level hearing a coach especially one who was at least a bit GM like.
This interview got me feeling nicey coach keep it up🔥🔥
Really Great Interview. Two Legends.
Thank you so much Mr Jon Gruden. This is what Christmas is all about. Thank you Mr Wayne Fontes for your sacrifice and hard work coaching my Lions. My Lions are going to the Superbowl
Phenomenal interview!!!! Super rad of you for bringing on Coach Fontes John!!! Always awesome to hear from coach and especially during this timeline when we are absolutely staking claim in the NFL! GO LIONS
We ran into Wayne at a restaurant in Florida about 20 years ago. I didnt want to bother him but my dad had to go talk to him. My dad said: "We miss you in Detroit. We actually won when you were our coach!" Wayne was very pleasant and humble. He smiled and simply said: "Thank you!"
Wayne is an awesome dude and I'll never forget that draft with Barry in it and the time Wayne coached the Lions.
Wayne looks healthy. Glad he's doing good.
Im 41, my early childhood memories was wayne fontes as the lions coach, always loved him as a kid cause he was funny, accountable and engaging. As an adult i feel the same way about ole wayne. Gem of a guy!!!! Go lions!!! One pride.....cmon god u owe us at least a superbowl appearance lol the suffering was so bad for so long
That was an awesome interview!!! Thank you coach Gruden!
I've always remember Wayne fontes and the battles he had with Mike Ditka and the Bears it was amazing Bears would win some Lyons would win some it was a good rivalry.
Lions fan since '75, Fontes was and is loved in Detroit. God bless him.
Great to see you still coach Fontes. Still sharp and a great sense of humor. Best wishes for you and your family.
Awesome interview! Thanks Jon!
Gotta love both those guys!
I grew up watching him coach the players they talk about, it's amazing, hope he gets to get on the field if we finally finish the job!
Great to see & hear from ya Wayne 🙌
Wow, Wayne Fontes! Great to see and hear him again!
Man, this was an amazing interview. Good seeing you coach. My Lions Fandom started with this man.
Good to see the old Man ❤️
Amazing, great interview Jon, thanks 👍
It warms my heart to see Wayne.
Thanks for doing this, Mr Gruden. Love watching your stuff. Thanks for interviewing a truly decent man, Wayne Fontes. We had some success with Wayne here and there, which was duly appreciated, but nothing like what we long-suffering Lions fans are enjoying now. Bests and thx again, Coach G. This die hard 48 year fan would love to have you on our staff sometime, that is if you're willing to take the pay cut. Lol. 😜
Jon! what an awesome interview, please bring back Wayne in Lions make big game please!!! brought back so many fun memories even when we came up short, we woke up every sunday thinking Why not us ? in the 90's
The Big Buck! Loved watching your teams coach. Thanks for picking Spielman. He's the reason for the Campbell/Holmes era.
Nicey!!! Great to see Coach Fontes so sharp. Would love to ask him hundreds of questions about his tenure.
Jon, this was a great idea. Thank you for all you do
I met him at AJ’s Sports Bar on Ulmerton Road in Largo Florida and he is exactly the same. What a Great man and is exuberant to the point that he spreads joy to everyone. Yes he likes his cigars and drinks too! Big time respect to his knowledge of sports gambling too!! I just went and bought some Lions stock. Thanks Wayne. I remember he was at West Catholic (Visitation Church) in Bay City Michigan as well.
What a great interview! Gruden is the man!
So good. How can you not love Wayne.
Looking shape Coach! Glad to see your still kick and screaming.
*MAD RESPECT*
Great to hear from Wayne, loved him as Bucs DC. Great story teller!
This is awesome. 2 great former coaches talking football. Go Lions!
The big buck says it all. Good to see coach Fontes again.Lions fan since 69.
22:22 Wayne telling a story about Barry Sanders getting a first down off of a broken play and Gruden says, “That’s great coaching, man.” 😂😂😂 Love his sense of humor.
I love Wayne Fontes. Great memories.
Wayne Fontes!! Let’s go!!! Throughout the years of Mornhinweg, Patricia, and Mariucci my main phrase I would heckle them at the games was “Bring back Wayne Fontes!!”. We loved Wayne… still do.
Thanks great show my man you always you always make my heart