The interim coach is remaining with the Silver and Black this time around.
According to sources, Antonio Pierce has reached an agreement to become the new head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, as reported by NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo on Friday
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Later on Friday, the club declared Pierce employed.
Pierce was hired after leading the Raiders to a 5-4 season finale in 2023 while serving as Josh McDaniels’ temporary head coach.
Addressing the offensive side of the ball will be among Pierce’s first significant responsibilities, since Rapoport revealed that the majority of coaches—including interim offensive coordinator Bo Hardegree—won’t be kept on.
Owner Mark Davis made the decision to employ McDaniels two years ago instead of sticking with Rich Bisaccia, the interim coach at the time who had energized the squad and led it to a postseason spot. This time, Davis has made the decision to elevate his interim coach to the position of permanent head coach of the Raiders. By doing this, Davis has made Pierce only the third interim head coach in the last ten seasons (Mike Mularkey, Tennessee Titans; Doug Marrone, Jacksonville Jaguars) to take over as the team’s full-time coach the following season.
The Titans and Atlanta Falcons were also interested in hiring Pierce to take over as head coach, but it was certain that he would stay in Las Vegas.
This past season, Pierce quickly gained the respect of the locker room by adopting the Raider way and the Silver and Black attitude. He led them to historic wins, including a thrilling victory against the Kansas City Chiefs, a 63-21 thumping of the Los Angeles Chargers, and a victory over the New York Giants in his playing debut.
The 45-year-old, who has no prior NFL coaching experience, assumed his interim position. Before taking over as the Raiders’ head coach for the final nine games of the previous season, Pierce was in the midst of his second season as the team’s linebackers coach. Before that, Pierce had served as the head coach at Long Beach Poly High School in California before joining Arizona State as a defensive assistant and coordinator.
From 2001 to 2009, Pierce played nine seasons as an NFL linebacker for the Washington and New York Giants. He was a tough player who was invited to the Pro Bowl and won a Super Bowl.
He demonstrated in his brief tenure with the Raiders that he was the complete antithesis of McDaniels, giving the team vigor, loudness, and swagger.
Pros like Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams have expressed their support for Pierce. Pierce should have an easier start as a result, but he still has a lot of work ahead of him.
Quarterback will need to make a decision. The Raiders signed Jimmy Garoppolo, who was close to McDaniels, before the 2023 season. Garoppolo’s 2024 cap figure is $28.5 million, with a guaranteed $11.25 million. Although the rookie quarterback showed potential, Pierce decided with Aidan O’Connell as his starter, and he isn’t the clear choice to lead the attack.
Josh Jacobs, the running back who had a quad injury at the close of the season, will also soon become a free agent.
Over the previous 21 seasons, Las Vegas has only made it to the playoffs twice and hasn’t won a division championship or a playoff game since 2002.
During his temporary tenure, Pierce revitalized both the Raiders players and the fan base.
Now that he has gained a full-time position, he will try to get the team back to its winning ways from previous autumns, when the Raiders routinely prevailed.
