What Was The Raiders’ Strategy Behind Hiring Antonio Pierce As Head Coach?

Antonio Pierce has been promoted to full-time coach by the Las Vegas Raiders, removing the interim tag off his title.

The 45-year-old Pierce was elevated from his position as linebackers coach following Josh McDaniels’ dismissal on Halloween night. His embrace of the Raiders’ culture won over both players and alumni, and he brought life to the often dull Raiders locker room with post-victory cigar celebrations. Vegas finished the season with a 5-4 record.

Only three applicants were interviewed by the Raiders for the position: Pierce, Leslie Frazier, a former defensive coordinator for the Bills, and Kris Richard, a former defensive backs coach for the Saints. Despite the influx of competent applicants in what many see as the best class of head coaches available in recent memory, Las Vegas seemed satisfied with a smaller search.

What Was The Raiders’ Strategy Behind Hiring Antonio Pierce As Head Coach?

Pierce joins Dennis Allen, Tony Sparano, Jack Del Rio, Jon Gruden, Rich Bisaccia, and McDaniels as the Raiders’ eighth coach (regular and interim) since owner Mark Davis took over the team following the death of his father Al Davis in 2011.

After the Lions defeated the Raiders 26-14 on “Monday Night Football,” there was little reason to anticipate Las Vegas would be successful for the balance of the 2023 season. Jimmy Garoppolo’s bad season persisted, as the defense was humiliated once more. After McDaniels was dismissed, the offseason preparations got underway.

“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.

“Can’t think of anyone more deserving,” Las Vegas tackle Jermaine Eluemunor posted on X. “The Raider way is the only way that needs to be in Vegas.

Let’s get Pierce started. In Pierce’s debut game as an interim coach, the Raiders, powered by rookie Aidan O’Connell as quarterback, thrashed the Giants 30–6. They defeated the Jets 16–12 the next week to win two games in a row. After losing to the Dolphins, Chiefs, and Vikings in close games, Las Vegas embarked on a little losing streak.

Since he was a young Raiders fan growing up in Compton, California, and saw the team play at the local Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in the 1980s and early 1990s, Pierce is familiar with the aura, culture, and legacy of the franchise. Considering how important being a Raider is to Davis, he played that hand rather effectively.

Pierce won games and altered the atmosphere and culture. Although being 5-4 and missing the playoffs may not seem like a huge concern, Pierce led the Raiders in every game, including the one in which they were defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs by two touchdowns.

It finished the season with victories over the Chiefs, the Chargers, the Colts, and the Broncos by two touchdowns. It also defeated the Chargers 63-21, which resulted in the head coach of the Chargers, Brandon Staley, being fired.

The outcomes were self-explanatory. A squad with a seasoned quarterback went 3-5 under McDaniels. A squad with a rookie quarterback and three wins against rival teams went 5-4 under Pierce. Pierce made a stunning recovery that cemented his place among the football industry’s elite young coaches.

This hiring cycle, Pierce is the second Black coach to gain a top position. Jerod Mayo was elevated by the New England Patriots to take Belichick’s spot.

There isn’t another NFL team with a Black president, general manager, or coach save the Raiders. But, Champ Kelly’s general manager is just temporary, and he may eventually be hired on as a full-time employee. Although Kelly has long been seen as a strong contender for the job, there are concerns about the fact that his hiring wasn’t disclosed concurrently with Pierce’s.

Where did Antonio Pierce go to high school?

Antonio Pierce was a Silver and Black enthusiast growing up. Raised in Compton, California, he attended Paramount High School for his high school football experience before going on to play collegiately at the University of Arizona and Mount San Antonio College.

Why did Antonio Pierce retire?

Following his 2010 retirement due to a neck injury, Pierce resumed coaching after being asked whether he would be interested in taking over one of the state’s more famous teams by the athletic director at Long Beach Poly, where his son DeAndre was participating.

Did Antonio Pierce play in the Super Bowl?

Pierce, a nine-year NFL veteran who was a member of the Giants Super Bowl XLII championship team and was  named to the Pro Bowl in 2006, entered the 2023 season as linebackers coach for the Raiders.

Pierce will have to make choices about his staff, and it’s probable that he will examine his offensive closely. Mick Lombardi’s midseason firing left Bo Hardegree as the offensive coordinator in interim, but it’s possible—possibly even likely—that Pierce leaves the team to take the position of offensive coordinator.

Beyond that, Pierce will have to collaborate with the next general manager on matters pertaining to personnel, such as quarterbacking decisions. Aidan O’Connell, a rookie, was started by Pierce. Though he became better as the season went on, questions remained about whether the team needed a franchise quarterback. The best quarterbacks will probably be selected by the time the Raiders choose, since they have the 13th choice in this year’s draft.

 

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