BAD NEWS:Two best players decided to leave Raiders today after the……
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 07: Interim head coach Antonio Pierce of the Las Vegas Raiders gestures to fans as he runs off the field after the team’s 27-14 victory over the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Expand
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) – The Las Vegas Raiders have agreed to hire Antonio Pierce to be their next head coach.
Pierce, 45, took over as Las Vegas’ interim coach on Halloween night after Josh McDaniels was fired. The Raiders went 5-4 under his watch — the team went 8-9 overall — and the players were in his corner from the beginning.
“Why wouldn’t we keep going the direction we’re going?” Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby said after a 27-14 victory over Denver on Jan. 7. “The fact we’ve come together and done something special in such a short time is hard to do. We’ve got a guy who’s played at the highest level, won a Super Bowl, he’s been a captain, and now he’s a great coach and he’s a leader.”
Pierce also won over much of the fan base. The crowd chanted “AP!” as the game against the Broncos was winding down.
Pierce will be charged with restoring a championship pedigree to a once-iconic franchise that has missed the playoffs in 19 of the past 21 seasons.
NFL hiring rules prohibited owner Mark Davis from hiring Pierce outright. Davis had to interview at least two external minority and/or female candidates in person to satisfy the Rooney rule. He did that.
The Raiders interviewed former Buffalo defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier. ESPN reported the club also interviewed former New Orleans Saints co-defensive coordinator Kris Richard.
Davis hired from outside two years ago in going with McDaniels over player favorite Rich Bisaccia, who led the Raiders on an unlikely late run to make the playoffs.
Once he is in the position, Pierce would have to make decisions regarding his staff. He could search for a new offensive coordinator or stay with Bo Hardegree, who became the interim when Mick Lombardi was fired at midseason.
Beyond that, Pierce would have to work with whoever becomes the general manager on personnel issues, including what to do at quarterback. Pierce installed rookie Aidan O’Connell as the starter. He improved as the season progressed, but didn’t erase concerns about the need for a franchise quarterback. The Raiders pick 13th in this year’s draft, so the top QBs likely will be gone by the time they select.
The future of running back Josh Jacobs also will need to be resolved. After leading the NFL in rushing in 2022, Jacobs got into a contract dispute after the Raiders placed the franchise tag on him. The sides agreed to a one-year deal after training camp. Jacobs’ production dropped from 1,653 yards to 805 this season and he missed the final month because of a quadriceps injury.
AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report.
Stream FOX 11 LA on FOX LOCAL
Stream FOX 11 LA on FOX LOCAL
Trending
WATCH: Road rage fight on 10 Freeway caught on camera
WATCH: Road rage fight on 10 Freeway caught on camera
These are California’s top 10 high schools, according to US News
These are California’s top 10 high schools, according to US News
California woman defrauded over $150 million from USPS: officials
California woman defrauded over $150 million from USPS: officials
Velella velella, By the Wind Sailors return to California beaches
Velella velella, By the Wind Sailors return to California beaches
Internet will cost more for millions of Californians soon: Here’s why
Internet will cost more for millions of Californians soon: Here’s why
Local NewsView More
Sword found during dueling pro-Palestine, pro-Israel protests at UCLA
Sword found during dueling pro-Palestine, pro-Israel protests at UCLA
Newport Beach woman, University of Arizona student killed in Tucson shooting
Newport Beach woman, University of Arizona student killed in Tucson shooting
Bear spotted roaming through Castaic neighborhood
Bear spotted roaming through Castaic neighborhood
Latest Videos
Students deal with protests on UCLA campus
video
Students deal with protests on UCLA campus
Orange County now politically purple
video
Orange County now politically purple
Sword found during protests at UCLA
video
Sword found during protests at UCLA
