The Las Vegas Raiders coaching search to replace Josh McDaniels is underway with some of the top NFL coaching candidates being targeted by the franchise. While owner Mark Davis seems particularly high on making a splash, there reportedly could be an ultimatum from the locker room.
Since Antonio Pierce took over as Raiders’ interim head coach in November, players have rallied around him. What he lacks in NFL coaching experience, the former linebacker makes up for with intensity, leadership and his command of the locker room.
- Antonio Pierce coaching record: 5-4 with the Las Vegas Raiders
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Las Vegas also played fairly well with Pierce at the helm. The team went 5-4 with Pierce, an improvement over McDaniels’ .375 winning percentage with Las Vegas. Pierce also played a role in the second-half turnaround by the Raiders’ defense and received a ton of credit from players for the victories over the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos to end the year.
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However, it’s long been believed that Davis prefers to make a splash hire. With the franchise located in Las Vegas, a big name attracts attention. Even more than that, though, coaches like Mike Vrabel and Jim Harbaugh have track records of success in the NFL. While both are targets for the Raiders, perennial Pro Bowl selections Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams have made it clear they only want one leader next year.
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In response to Crosby’s tweet “#HireAP“, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Raiders’ star has actually drawn a “line in the sand” regarding the next head coach. He has made it definitively clear that Pierce is the only head coach he wants.
Rapoport doesn’t provide additional context on what it means for Crosby to be drawing a line in the sand with the Raiders’ organization. While he is one of the most important players on that team and is beloved by both fans and players, it’s unlikely that an All-Pro edge rusher would demand a trade if the coach he likes isn’t kept around.
Even with that acknowledged, Davis places a high priority on the happiness of the Raiders’ locker room and he has encouraged Crosby, Adams and other leaders to speak to him with their thoughts on the team. If Crosby and others are willing to “draw a line in the sand” over the next head coach, with the support Pierce has, he may return as the head coach in 2024.
There will, however, be competition for Pierce. The Tennessee Titans submitted an interview request for him this offseason. Similarly, Raiders’ interim general manager Champ Kelly is generating significant interest for GM vacancies around the NFL.
