The Las Vegas Raiders fired Antonio Pierce on Tuesday after only one season as their full-time coach, the group’s newest in a line of teaching adjustments over the previous a number of years.
“We admire Antonio’s management, first as an interim head coach and this previous season as the top coach,” the group mentioned in a press release. “Antonio grew up a Raiders fan and his Silver and Black roots run deep. We’re grateful for his capacity to reignite what it means to be a Raider all through your complete group. We want nothing however the most effective for Antonio and his household sooner or later.”
Pierce took over because the interim coach halfway by the 2023 season and went 5-4 the remainder of the way in which, incomes sturdy participant assist for him to get the job on a full-time foundation.
However this season the Raiders, after a 2-2 begin, went on a 10-game shedding streak to place his job in jeopardy. The Raiders handled numerous accidents together with to defensive linemen Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins, navigated the Davante Adams early season drama that culminated with a commerce to the New York Jets and completed the season 4-13.
Pierce was the fourth full-time Raiders coach – Wealthy Bisaccia closed out the 2021 season because the interim coach – previously decade.
As for the place the Raiders flip subsequent, Mike Vrabel has been rumored as a attainable candidate. He and Raiders minority proprietor Tom Brady have been teammates with the Patriots, however Vrabel additionally figures to draw a number of consideration from different golf equipment with openings, maybe together with in New England.
The Raiders face different pressures past teaching although, together with at operating again and throughout their protection. They want a franchise quarterback, one thing Pierce didn’t have at his disposal. Aidan O’Connell has confirmed to be an ample starter however hasn’t proven he has the flexibility or consistency to take a group deep into the playoffs.
However merely making the playoffs can be a significant step ahead for whichever coach will get the job. The Raiders’ most up-to-date postseason look was three years in the past; earlier than that, that they had superior to the playoffs simply as soon as since shedding within the Tremendous Bowl for the 2002 season.
