Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce is scheduled to interview for the head coaching position with the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, according to a report by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.
Pierce’s brief stint with the Raiders has been moderately successful on the field, surpassing expectations with a 5-4 record after taking over a 3-5 team under Josh McDaniels. Pierce quickly galvanized the splintered Raiders’ locker room, and the team’s performance under his guidance improved significantly — especially on defense.
But for many, the numbers are secondary to what Pierce has built with his team. It’s a connection with players and fans of the Raiders, who have openly voiced their support for him becoming their permanent head coach in Las Vegas.
This support stems from Antonio Pierce’s Raiders showing resilience and a competitive spirit lacking under McDaniels. His player-centric approach, influenced by his experience as a Super Bowl-winning linebacker with the New York Giants, resonated within the locker room, fostering a culture of hard work and unity.
Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis is exploring options
Despite the support for Pierce among the Las Vegas Raiders players, team owner Mark Davis appears to be taking his time and exploring all options in his search for a head coach. Reports suggest that Davis is highly interested in Jim Harbaugh from Michigan, a known candidate with a reputation for turning teams around. Harbaugh’s NFL experience and proven track record make him an attractive choice for any team in search of a winning coach.
The Titans’ interest in Pierce reflects their desire for a fresh start. The decision to part ways with Mike Vrabel after six seasons indicated their intention to take a new direction and Pierce represents an interesting option. The late-season improvements by the Raiders and the turnaround job in the locker room have caught the eye of the Titans.
The Titans have also requested interviews with Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, Aaron Glenn (defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions), Ben Johnson (offensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions) and Mike Kafka (offensive coordinator of the New York Giants) for the role as well.
Las Vegas Raiders have not interviewed head coaching candidates, including Antonio Pierce
While most of the eight current NFL teams with head coaching openings have requested to interview coaches from around the league, the Raiders and Davis still need to. Harbaugh and Pierce appear to be the only reported candidates.
Meanwhile, Vrabel’s name has also reportedly interested the Raiders. This adds another element to the Raider’s search, given his tenure with the Titans, which included deep playoff runs and a reputation for building tough and disciplined teams.
When Davis decided to fire McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler in November, the Raiders owner stated he would not rush into a decision — something he said he did when he picked McDaniels.
“I don’t want to mislead people in the interview process,” Davis told The Athletic in December. “So, it’s going to be a really interesting dynamic in trying to keep my mind open to the potential hirings. …I just don’t know. I’m not making a commitment right now. So, in the process, I’m getting a lot of calls from people who have clients who they feel would be great for the job. I’m banking those names, and we’ll see what happens once the season is over.”