The Raiders are back on the market for a head coach and they have a little more than two months to figure out who it’s going to be.
We don’t know what’s going on in the mind of Mark Davis, but Sports Illustrated insider Hondo Carpenter took a survey of what league sources expect Davis to do in the months ahead.
Carpenter assembled a list of his top 5 candidates to be the next Raiders head coach, adding that the search will be fluid and will probably change several times between now and January.
“For this list I reached out to six NFL executives and I asked them ‘If you were making a hire, who’s on your left or who do you think fits the Raiders?'” Carpenter said. “I also talked and got information out of the Raiders building. So that’s how I accumulated this list.”
From least likely to most likely, here’s the list…
5 – Frank Smith, Miami Dolphins Offensive Coordinator
Offensive Coordinator of arguably the most dynamic offense in the NFL. Smith doesn’t call plays in Miami, but he’s a well-respected coordinator and has a history with the Raiders.
Hondo: “He used to be Jon Gruden’s tight ends coach here. He’s familiar with [the] organization… I know this already and this is not opinion. There is great frustration with the Raiders offense and Mark Davis is in a desperate search for more points. This is why Frank Smith is so high on this list and is a very viable candidate. I was told yesterday [that it would be a huge surprise] if Frank doesn’t get an interview. So there you go.”
4 – Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator
Johnson helped turn around a terrible offense in a very short time. The Lions have been one of the biggest surprises in the league over the last two years and what Detroit has done with HC Dan Campbell is what the Raiders will try to do with whoever is hired to be their next head coach.
Hondo: “Ben Johnson is one of the hottest coaching candidates in the NFL, [but] let’s remember, so was Josh McDaniels and we all know that Davis got burned there, so does that hurt Ben Johnson?”
3 – Rich Bisaccia, Green Bay Packers ST Coordinator
Every Raiders fan knows about Bisaccia. He should have been hired two years ago.
The roster has been overhauled since Bisaccia was in Las Vegas, but the Packers special teams coach still has the respect of Mark Davis.
Hondo: “I think Mike [Mayock] at time probably irritated Mark Davis a little, and I don’t think that helped Rich, but after Rich was let go and they brought in Josh McDaniels, I’m told that Rich Bisaccia wrote a wonderful letter to Mark Davis… it could have been a conversation, but it was implicated to me that it was a letter… really thanking Mark, wishing the franchise nothing but the best. He was such a top-notch, class person and it really touched Mark Davis.”
2 – Jon Gruden, N/A
Hondo believes there is a good chance Gruden will be back in the NFL sooner than later. He said that Gruden “knows where all the bodies are buried” in the NFL and the league may have no choice but to eventually welcome Gruden back into the coaching fold.
Hondo: “We know the NFL is very concerned and worried about the Jon Gruden lawsuit. We know that Mark didn’t want Jon to go. We know how much he likes him.”
1 – Antonio Pierce, Raiders Interim Head Coach
Raider fans are rooting for Pierce and the Raiders’ locker room is rooting for Pierce. The owner knows he made a mistake when he didn’t hire the interim coach two years ago.
Will Davis risk making the same mistake again?
Hondo: “The players like him a lot… He’s a guy that doesn’t have the head coaching experience in the NFL, but he’s going to get it for nine games. He knows the lay of the land. Him and Champ Kelly are already very close, and I’m going to say it right now… I hope Champ Kelly gets the full-time GM job. He deserves it.”
Please share your thoughts on the list in the comments below…
twitter: @raidersbeat
History repeats itself!
Mark Davis got rid of Jack Del Rio because he had John Gruden in mind.
Now is he going to get rid of Antonio Pierce if he gets things turned around because maybe Jim Harbaugh is available!
Time will tell
I’d say Rich is my first choice. 2nd maybe Gruden. Let’s see how the remainder of the season plays out. If they win out and make a run keep the interim coach, if not look above.
Pleezee bring poppa Rich Bisaccia back,anytime team refer to the head coach as pops the respect and loyalty is already there.
Would love to see Frank Smith bring that offense to Vegas 🏉
AP may be our guy, and let’s see if the team can rally around him and go on a run. He could be like Tomlin in Pittsburgh, a player coach. I don’t want Gruden back unless he somehow gives up GM responsibilities. I also think he is overrated and gets attention because of his big personality. Rich B is a class act and should have been the guy, but we live and we learn. I wish Rich Gannon would become the QB coach or something, as it would immensely help our QBs get to an elite level, as he did in his stint with the Raiders. This is the most important decision that Mark has to make. It could break this futility of the past two decades or continue it. Choose wisely.
I believe they should go be Antonio Pierce a chance. It is very hard for someone to come in mid season. Let’s see how the team does at the end of the year, look back and see if the offense is scoring more points, and how competitive the team is.
Pierce…with a big “we’ll see”.
If not Pierce them its a toss up between Harbaugh and Deion Sanders. Right not its looking like Harbaugh as it seems the big 10 commish wants him gone. Michigan too??
Please just sell the team to a better owner
Mark Davis is the owner. He’s not going to sell his team. Not today, not tomorrow, not for 25 years.
Get Deon Sanders
Yes. Please sell the team!!!!
I am 52 years old and have been a raiders fan since I was born. But it is hard to be a fan now days. They keep doing the same thing and it is driving me crazy. This is how good I know my team. The Scouting combine I watch them every year. To see what stars are coming to the NFL and who is the overrated players. Then I make a list of both and wait because I know the team is going to pick one of the overrated players LOL. I almost stopped being a fan when we traded Khalil mack. Yes did we get 3 first round picks for him. But what did we get Josh Jacobs who we are probably going to let go this year. I told my wife when they were talking about trading Maxx. That would of done it for me!!! But like I say every year let’s see what happens. I like the QB and the Coach I haven’t been able to say that for along time.
It’s not hard for me to be a Raiders fan. I’ve been a fan since 1971. I’ve seen all of this teams ups and downs. If you’re not loyal to shield do what you gotta do.
Doesn’t matter what coach comes in mark davis is the problem same old same old been die hard raider fan for 40 years also live in philly
Please anybody but Deon Sanders.
GM first, with the ultimate power…not the HC.
As for HC,
1. Pierce
2. Johnson
3. Smith
No way I’d bring back Gruden and his antiquated ideas.
Bisaccia probably would not work.
Been a Raider fan since 1967. This was my 1st yr not rooting for my team. The Raiders are not NE West which is what We have had for the past yr and a half. Derek Carr,DarrenWaller and the treatment of Josh Jacobs unacceptable. Mark Davis ought to be ashame to go to Owners meeting because the other owners know He is a dummy. Finally let’s let the players speak to who they are most comfortable with
I would not any of these guys honestly, especially Gruden. Guy is terrible at drafting and developing talent. NFL passed him long ago not to mention him having no honor.