What Led To Raiders Firing Coach Josh McDaniels?

Josh McDaniels’ final photo as an NFL head coach will come from Monday night. Against the Lions in the second half, Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams found himself wide open for two long touchdowns; however, hand-picked McDaniels favourite Jimmy Garoppolo failed to connect on all of his throws.

What Led To Raiders Firing Coach Josh McDaniels?

Tuesday night, less than two seasons into a six-year deal, the Raiders owner abruptly dismissed both general manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels. The former Patriots coordinator has coached 25 games. After posting an 11-17 record in 28 games with the Broncos (2009–10), McDaniels was dismissed midway through his second season and went on to coach the Raiders, going 9–16.

“After much thought about what the Raiders need to move forward, I have decided to part ways with Josh and Dave,” owner Mark Davis said in a statement. “I want to thank them both for their hard work and wish them and their families nothing but the best.”

One may consider the dismissal of McDaniels and Ziegler to be quite unexpected. Jeff Howe of The Athletic claims that Davis gave the two till 2024 to attempt to bring the franchise around.

But it’s evident that in 2023, the franchise was not getting better. After finishing 6-11 in the previous season, the Raiders started 2023 with a 3–5 record, their offensive ranking 30th in scoring and their defense ranking 22nd in scoring defense.

And although the reason for this sudden change has not been made public, it seems likely that the removal of McDaniels and Ziegler was influenced by remarks made by team executives and an uncertain quarterback choice.

It felt inevitable in recent weeks, according to a number of staff members and others involved, that owner Mark Davis would tear up his football organization just 25 games after hiring McDaniels and Ziegler.

Davis was erratic and irrational. The athletes were also not content. And ultimately, Davis pressed the trigger to blow up McDaniels’s show after seeing a noncompetitive attempt on national television in Detroit on Monday.

Based on their past performance and current season, McDaniels and Ziegler were undeserving of their dismissal. Yes, they’ve been mediocre, but lots of coaches have performed worse before getting better. Jon Gruden started 11–21 in his second stint with the Raiders, but Davis didn’t dismiss him.

Throughout his first two seasons with the 49ers, Kyle Shanahan was 10-22.  Dan Campbell, who handed McDaniels his final loss, started his Lions career 4-19-1. He has gone 13-4 since then. Plenty of coaches have gotten off to slow starts and turned things around.

According to reports, McDaniels signed a six-year contract in January 2022. There are still four years left on his contract, which the Raiders will have to pay for, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Antonio Pierce, the Raiders’ linebackers coach, will take over as head coach going forward, according to Schefter.

During his nine-year NFL career, Pierce was selected for the Pro Bowl by the Giants in 2006 and went on to win a ring in Super Bowl 42 against the Patriots. After the 2009 season, he was cut by the Giants and went on to declare his retirement.

 

 

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