The Raiders are one of three teams which are guaranteed to conduct head coach searches this offseason, but the team’s play of late has likely played a factor in that process. Interim HC Antonio Pierce has guided the team to a 4-3 record since taking over and in doing so has helped his cause for earning the full-time gig. 
Upon taking over from Josh McDaniels midseason, Pierce took on a much larger workload than he had previously experienced at the NFL level. His 2022 posting as Las Vegas’ linebackers coach was his first in the pros, giving him a thin resume with respect to a number of the other coaching candidates likely to be interviewed for the position. For that reason, it came as little surprise when a recent report indicated interim general manager Champ Kelly was the likelier of the two to have the interim tag removed.
However, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano note Pierce has strengthened his case to get the nod for 2024 and beyond. The team’s fourth win on his watch – a Christmas Day upset of the Chiefs – has them in contention for both the AFC West title and a wild-card berth with two weeks remaining in the season. The path to a playoff spot of any kind is narrow, but the fact the Raiders are still in contention is a dramatic turnaround from where things stood with McDaniels in place.
Pierce’s audition period has seen the team play with increased levels of discipline and physicality, something the ESPN report notes has “impressed” owner Mark Davis. The latter was in a similar position when Rich Bisaccia took over for Jon Gruden in 2021, but his relatively strong run was not sufficient to land him the permanent posting. Davis has since come to regret the decision to replace Bisaccia with McDaniels, but the current situation represents an opportunity to avoid a repeat of that perceived mistake.
Early reports in the aftermath of Pierce taking charge pointed to Davis being impressed with the improvement from the McDaniels regime. The Raiders have allowed more than 21 points in a game only once since the change was made, and a strong defensive showing will be needed to keep the team’s postseason chances alive. Regardless of if Vegas manages to secure a playoff berth or not, Pierce’s stock has certainly risen in recent weeks.
Much will depend on the team’s finish to the season, one in which Pierce has brought in a number of experienced staffers to help him in his (as of now) temporary assignment. The Raiders will likely have their new general manager in place early in the offseason to assist in the process of hiring a full-time head coach, something which still needs to satisfy the Rooney Rule. As things currently stand, though, that endeavor could very well result in Pierce being handed the reins on a permanent basis.
If the KC game was any indication of his leadership and team direction…he deserves it
Agree completely. This almost shouldn’t even be up for debate.
If they make the same mistake they did before hiring McDaniels over the interim coach who has the team playing hard they deserve all their future misery.
This is no debate, he’s earned that spot with the chiefs win and the 60+ point win over chargers.
Hey man at least this way you don’t have to interview a half dozen diversity hires
Actually Davis still has to interview at least 2 minority candidates before he can hire Pierce as his full time head coach. That is according to revised Rooney rule.
Not true. A team can promote an assistant who is a minority without interviewing anyone.
I know he has not had any head coaching experience, but the fact is if you look at how the Raiders are playing now since before he took over it’s night and day. the defense has got remarkably better and if they could end up finding a competent quarterback there’s no reason why this Raider team couldn’t possibly challenge for a playoff spot next year also. I usually don’t think this but in this case I think Antonio Pierce has earned the opportunity to stay on as the head coach and see how I can do through an offseason and a entire NFL season
The Raiders are a completely different team with Antonio Pierce in control. The team is getting an identity and clearly playing with a purpose. I don’t know if Aidan O’Connell is hurt, needs a change in coaching, maybe some swing passes to build confidence, but he looked afraid to throw the rock.
I do not know what Hunter Renfrow’s issues are with the front office or coaching staff, but he is not having a good year. He dropped his lone target against KC and has all but disappeared the last three weeks.
Chris Jones eating the O-Line for breakfast was why he couldn’t get the pass game going. That and the weather seemed to have some affect on both QB’s.
You know who else had a strikingly similar resume? John Madden.
I’m not saying he’s going to be the next madden, just pointing out something very similar.
I have no idea if Pierce should keep the job or not.
But, I know that McDaniels never should have gotten it. A guy with zero experience and no time to prepare has come in and done the same job infinitely better than he did.
He should be. Dramatic change in team. Don’t screw it up twice.
Pierce has earned at least a full year’s trial. The man is already in the building and he’s doing good work. If Pierce won’t stand up to a full season scrutiny, then conduct the search.
This year Davis should cancel the search and cancel any interviews. Show some confidence in Pierce. Give him his full support.
Unfortunately due to the Rooney rule (which should be called the Al Davis rule) he still has to interview two external minority candidates.
Not true if the assistant being hired is a minority.
I’d double check the rule
If I were you. It’s gotta be a minority candidate who is “currently not employed with the organization “. The raiders could just go ahead with the hire and bypass the rule but the NfL could impose some type of fine, whether money or draft pick(s). I know that sounds stupid but that’s the rule.
Defense suddenly can play football and the offense looks really good on paper. If only the QB and Offensive Line could get upgraded in one swoop, this team would be nasty.
Just give it to him
He doesn’t have any chance of getting the job as Rich Bisaccia did a few years ago. Davis the kind of owner who likes to make a big time hire
Smoked Andy Reid. Put up 60 plus on chargers. Why not?
The raiders didn’t give Rich Bisaccia the job 2 years ago and he was way qualified to get it, what makes anyone think that pierce gets it? lol think about it plus it’s Mark Davis who owns that damn team
Other than the interns labels, Rich B and AP are in a completely different situation. It’s not the same. Rich took over the team earlier in the season, it was a far better team than this one and he wasn’t taking over for a coach that wasn’t liked and nobody had the desire to play for. He had a far better staff around him plus an NFL veteran QB.
AP on the other had has a less superior team, a rookie QB, a weaker staff around him and took over for a coach who beat these players down mentally. What AP. haas done in this short amount of time is pretty amazing. The team is playing far different than the first 8 weeks.
IMO Gruden would have led that Rich team to the playoffs too. This current Raider team would have been out of playoff contention a month ago if JM was still the HC.
Maybe pierce can recommend mark Davis to a decent barber, joking aside it makes the most sense to give pierce a two year deal, and see what he can do.
Even a one-year trial deal would be fine. Give Pierce at least a season.
Players seem to respect him and he seems to run a good ship. He should get the shot, the team does not even have a decent QB.
If Pierce gets passed over for some lame, mediocre retread, they need to close up shop and sell.. Not even a Raiders fan and you can see the team will follow Pierce anywhere.
Yup. Just like Ryans in Houston. Complete and beneficial culture change and even a casual fan can see the difference
Agree, and just like Ryans. Pierce isn’t too far removed from the game, and was a good player.
In the NFL especially, players seem to respond to HCs who played the game at a high level. While guys who didn’t play can have success (Shannahan, McDaniel), you rarely see guys who played fail miserably. Plus, HCs who have their player’s respect and run a tight ship tend to have success. I hate the Raiders (Chiefs fan) and I hope they screw this hiring up and let Pierce go to situation outside the AFC West because, with a few moves, this team could continue to push the Chiefs in a weak division.
I think he should get a one year on the job extension tryout
Why would he sign only a 1 year deal?
Because he’s a raider. Been a fan his whole life. Would you not sign a 1 year deal to be the HC of your favorite NFL team? I’d bet you would. I know I would. He’s like you and I. He’s a fan who’s coaching his favorite team.
With that being said I think Davis gives him a 2-3 year deal.
Good point. Another team might swoop on Pierce. New ownership could hire Pierce to kick the Commies/Redskins back into shape. Similarly dysfunctional franchise with some good pieces which has to toughen up and work cohesively.