Raiders take away interim tag, title Antonio Pierce head coach

HENDERSON, Nev. — Antonio Pierce was formally introduced as the brand new full-time head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders on Friday.

Raiders proprietor Mark Davis elevated Pierce from linebackers coach to interim coach following the Halloween night time firings of coach Josh McDaniels and normal supervisor Dave Ziegler, and Pierce, together with interim GM Champ Kelly, modified the tradition of the Raiders’ locker room in a single day.

Following the Raiders’ season-ending 27-14 victory over the Denver Broncos, Davis advised ESPN he was “actually excited” in regards to the job Pierce did in main the group to a 5-4 end after he took over.

Moreover ending with a successful report, the Raiders additionally went 3-1 within the AFC West underneath Pierce, scoring a franchise-record 63 factors in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers and beating the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium for less than the second time since 2013.

In saying Pierce as their new head coach, the Raiders crossed out the phrase “interim” in a publish on X.

I̶n̶t̶e̶r̶i̶m̶ Head Coach Antonio Pierce#RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/HV8UWF8pH2

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) January 20, 2024

When Davis first promoted Pierce, who had by no means been a head coach above the highschool degree, Davis advised ESPN he didn’t need Pierce to essentially “coach,” a lot as “lead” and “delegate.”

The Raiders performed a cleaner, stingier and extra centered recreation after Pierce took over.

Think about: Below Pierce, the Raiders led the NFL in fewest factors allowed per recreation (16.0), defensive touchdowns (4) and fewest penalties (31) whereas having the Tenth-most takeaways (14), being fourth in level differential (62) and tying for third most in sacks (30) from Week 9 by means of the top of the season.

Davis additionally mentioned on the time, “[Pierce] understands the tradition of the Raiders, and that is vital to me.”

Rising up in Compton, California, outdoors of Los Angeles an enormous fan of not solely the Raiders after they referred to as L.A. house but in addition native seminal rap group N.W.A, which was identified for sporting Raiders gear, instantly modified the tradition to a players-first ambiance. A mini-basketball hoop was instantly put in within the locker room and the music playlist for observe was modified to incorporate the stylings of N.W.A, whose radio-friendly variations of songs have been performed in Allegiant Stadium throughout pregame warmups, whereas the Friday group dance-off to kick off observe returned.

And after house victories, the Raiders lit celebratory cigars within the locker room.

Pierce additionally benched high-priced however oft-injured veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in favor of rookie Aidan O’Connell, with Pierce calling the teenager his “BFF” on multiple event.

Lackadaisical losses, although, got here in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings (3-0) at Allegiant Stadium and on the Indianapolis Colts (23-20), conserving the Raiders out of the playoffs.

Raiders gamers purchased into Pierce’s management type, with All-Professional huge receiver Davante Adams saying his “vote” was for Pierce and that he would “run by means of a wall for that man.” Three-time Professional Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby, who had a career-high 14.5 sacks this season, additionally voiced help for Pierce.

“It is legendary,” Crosby mentioned after the season finale. “When you may have the best tradition, a man like A.P. that embraces the historical past of the Raiders, it is particular. … A ton of legends [visit] persistently as a result of the quantity of respect they’ve for him. So it makes you, as a participant, need to go on the market and present who you’re. You recognize what I imply? You need to be at that degree at some point.”

Pierce additionally garnered help from Raider alumni similar to Corridor of Fame defensive again Charles Woodson, who pointed to Pierce being a former linebacker within the NFL, and two-time Tremendous Bowl champion quarterback Jim Plunkett, who noticed the gamers responding to Pierce in fast trend.

A Professional Bowler himself for the New York Giants in 2006, Pierce performed 9 seasons within the NFL with Washington (2001 to 2004) and the Giants (2005 to 2009). He was a key member of the Giants group that beat the then-undefeated New England Patriots in Tremendous Bowl XLII.

After ending 8-9 general, although, the Raiders have solely had two successful data and two playoff appearances — after the 2016 and 2021 seasons — since showing in Tremendous Bowl XXXVII in January 2003.

Pierce is the seventh head coach (common and interim) Davis has employed since assuming management of the franchise upon his Corridor of Fame father Al Davis’ passing in 2011, together with Dennis Allen, Tony Sparano, Jack Del Rio, Jon Gruden, Wealthy Bisaccia and McDaniels.

Whereas there is no such thing as a phrase but on the standing of Kelly, he’s a number one candidate to return as GM.

Pierce, 45, was requested in his season-ending information convention in regards to the head-coach job.

“I’ll by no means use the phrase ‘deserve,'” he mentioned. “Hopefully, I’ve earned it.”