The Las Vegas Raiders are making some coaching moves that are generating a buzz in NFL circles as they prepare for a season of transformation under new head coach Antonio Pierce.
The latest addition to their coaching staff is DeShaun Foster, who Pierce is hiring as his new running backs coach. A former NFL running back with the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers, Foster will now take on the role, bringing his wealth of experience from the collegiate level to the Raiders’ coaching roster.
Pierce, whose team went 5-4 after he took over as interim head coach after Josh McDaniels was fired last season, does not have head coaching experience in college or the NFL but has hired an experienced staff. Reports indicate Kliff Kingsbury will be the Raiders’ new offensive coordinator, and it’s already been announced that Marvin Lewis, former head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, will join as assistant head coach.
With Lewis’ experience, and track record as a defensive coordinator and head coach at the NFL level, his addition is a sign Pierce recognizes his staff needs a mix of veterans and up-and-coming coaches.
Foster expected to help revive the putrid Las Vegas Raiders offense
The decision to bring DeShaun Foster on board is significant for the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders’ offense was dismal in 2023, and Pierce vowed to prioritize it once he was given the permanent role. Las Vegas averaged 19.5 points per game, good for 23rd in the NFL. Pierce has joked the Raiders will score more than 24 points per game in 2024.
During Foster’s 10-year stint at UCLA, he showcased his ability to develop and mentor young players. With the Raiders’ leading rusher, Josh Jacobs, set to hit free agency, Foster could be essential for the continued development of third-year player Zamir White and any running backs the Raiders could sign or draft this coming spring.
As the Raiders prepare for the season, Pierce’s new coaching staff’s combination of experience and innovative thinking is already setting a tone. With Pierce leading the way, supported by Kingsbury, Lewis, and now Foster joining them, the Raiders are positioning themselves as a team to watch. Foster’s expertise as a player and his proven track record as a coach can only enhance what is shaping up to be a fascinating staff in Vegas.