Interim head coach Antonio Pierce isn’t leaving Las Vegas just yet.
The Raiders are reportedly in agreement with Pierce to make him the 23rd head coach in franchise history following a trial run as Josh McDaniels’ in-season replacement. According to multiple reports, a four- or five-year deal between Pierce and the Raiders is expected to be formally announced as soon as Friday night.
Pierce was 5-4 and the Raiders finished with a record of 8-9, tied for their second-best win total since relocating to Las Vegas in 2020. The Raiders were 10-7 in 2021, but interim head coach Rich Bisaccia, who replaced Jon Gruden, wasn’t retained. McDaniels was hired in advance of the 2022 season.
Pierce wasn’t exactly holding a dominant hand most of the season.
The Raiders switched quarterbacks, elevating untested Aidan O’Connell over Jimmy Garoppolo, and players instantly responded to Pierce with a 30-6 win over the New York Giants.
Three of Pierce’s four losses as interim coach were by one possession, including a 23-20 loss at Indianapolis in Week 17 and a 3-0 home defeat against the Vikings.
Players endorsed Pierce as the fulltime coach when the season ended, and the Tennessee Titans interviewed him for their opening after firing Mike Vrabel.
Defensive end Maxx Crosby said he would look into trade options if the Raiders didn’t keep Pierce, who also had the vote of former All-Pro Davante Adams.
“That’s my vote,” Adams said. “I’ve been vocal about that, and that’s basically how the whole locker room feels with good reason. He’s come in and done a great job and it’s continued to win us over. It’s not just the comfortable thing, I think having AP here would be good for this organization.”
–Field Level Media