Latest Update: Raiders Remove Interim Tag, Hire Pierce as Head Coach…
HENDERSON, Nev. — Since assuming the interim role midseason, Antonio Pierce has garnered strong support from Las Vegas Raiders players to be named the permanent head coach. On Friday, Pierce’s appointment became official.
The Raiders made the announcement of Pierce as their new head coach, eliminating the “interim” tag in a post on X, the rebranded social platform formerly known as Twitter. He becomes the fourth interim coach elevated by the Raiders, joining Art Shell, Tom Cable, and Marty Feldman.
At 45, Pierce took over as the interim coach on Halloween night following Josh McDaniels’ dismissal. Under his guidance, the Raiders achieved a 5-4 record, contributing to an overall season record of 8-9.
“Why wouldn’t we keep going the direction we’re going?” remarked Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby 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.”
Las Vegas tackle Jermaine Eluemunor expressed his support on X, stating, “Can’t think of anyone more deserving. The Raider way is the only way that needs to be in Vegas.”
Pierce’s task will be to restore a championship pedigree to a once-iconic franchise that has missed the playoffs in 19 of the past 21 seasons.
NFL hiring rules mandated owner Mark Davis to conduct interviews with at least two external minority and/or female candidates in person to satisfy the Rooney rule, which he fulfilled. Former Buffalo defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and former New Orleans Saints co-defensive coordinator Kris Richard were among the candidates interviewed.
In a parallel development, Bill Belichick completed his second coaching interview with the Atlanta Falcons, moving closer to potentially joining the franchise. The Falcons also virtually met with Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
If Belichick becomes the Falcons’ head coach, it would mark a significant turn of events for a team that hasn’t had a winning season since 2017 and has never won a Super Bowl championship. Belichick was the coach of the New England Patriots during the historic comeback against the Falcons in Super Bowl LI.
In injury news, Buffalo receiver Gabe Davis and cornerback Christian Benford, both starters, will miss the AFC divisional playoff game against Kansas City due to knee injuries. Detroit Lions edge rusher James Houston is progressing in his recovery from a broken fibula, with a decision pending on his availability for the NFC divisional playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
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