Things are trending that the Raiders are going to be hiring a new head coach after the season and many believe that owner Mark Davis will be looking for another high-profile coach to bring to Las Vegas.
One name already linked to the Raiders is University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, but another college coach to keep an eye on is Clemson’s Dabo Swinney.
From a career standpoint, there might not be a better time for Swinney to flee Clemson than now. In the past week, he has lost three of the most important people in his program.
Everyone knows about the Raiders’ Clemson connection in the locker room, but Swinney apparently has a sneaky-good relationship with Derek Carr, too.
“Dabo Swinney literally has FaceTimed me or texted me more than like my coaches that I played with in college. I promise,” Carr told the Harvester Sports podcast last month. “This man FaceTimed me the other day, and it wasn’t even anything about Hunter [Renfrow]. He’s like, ‘Hey man, keep it going. Man, so proud of you. I’m so fired up.’ I’m like, ‘Dude, you’re getting me fired up.’”
Swinney’s visit to Allegiant Stadium last week certainly provoked a lot more speculation about his future, and one of the best summaries on that interaction came from Sports Illustrated’s Hondo Carpenter.
“I have been around a long time. Coaches, owners, players all know what they are doing,” Carpenter wrote this week.
“The moment Mark Davis showed up on the sidelines with Dabo Swinney, both men knew what they were doing. Of course, there are Clemson guys on the Raiders, but Dabo knows how to send a message, and so does Mark. I read into it, and so should you. Not saying that anything is imminent, but there was something to read. The NFL are masters of communication. I am not saying Mark and Dabo were negotiating, but both men made a brilliant move to be seen together on the sidelines.”
For now, it’s anyone’s guess who the Raiders are going to look at to be their next head coach. There are whispers that they want to take a hard look at a few minority candidates with offensive backgrounds.
Whatever he decides to do, Davis needs to get it right this time. Fans are unloading seats at an alarming rate and it will only be a matter of time before Allegiant Stadium is every team’s home stadium if the Raiders don’t start winning.
twitter: @raidersbeat
I’m personally hoping the Steelers get their **** together! Strange comment? Nope! If Pittsburg starts shopping the Tomlin that becomes the best job available, not Vegas. I’d take Dabo or Harbough. Both excellent options at running our team.
Interesting,I think they’d be better off Hiring Bienemy .
Davis needs to quit pretending he’s his Father and Cede Power to a G.M who will implement a new infrastructure and get this flailing Franchise back to its rightful place amongst the League’s Best .
Yes David I totally i agree about Mark.
I think Riddick would do a good job as GM if not him they need a good GM.
I’m guessing maybe Leftwich for HC Idk ?
Reggie McKenzie and Jack DelRio did a great job with the Raiders. They built one of the best O-lines in the NFL and brought the Raiders from 4-12 to 12-4. No Rock Stars, just results. Jon Gruden was a rock star and demanded big 💰💰💰and all we got was big ego.
Dabo’s holding out for Bama. Kat wants to move back home.
raiders dont need a college coach nfl would eat them alive how about meyer an sabin just to name a couple harbaugh is a exception he has nfl experence
Carr is great just need a little less bad remarks and talk about the good games he’s played in bill him back up as our qb.
Raiders. Win. Win. Baby win at all cost. You have some of the pieces already in place.
I agree with you, Kevin on Mark
I’m thinking and or guessing Louis Riddick would be a good GM and Leftwich for HC.
Riddick or not, It starts with a good GM
Oh come on people. Mayock is our GM and will be next. People need to shut the hell up about a new GM.
I could see dabo coming to Vegas now that Clemson looks like it’s losing some luster. Wouldn’t be surprised at all if it’s a package deal involving a qb in Houston. Remember Watson played for dabo in college. Watson is a top 5 qb and he’s what you need in today’s nfl. Carr is too robotic and old school. Ceiling isn’t high enough
Carr us our QB. Deal with it
Totally agree with you John! Deshaun & Dabo would definitely be the answer.
This whole thing just seems a bit surreal.. Having a successful college coach posing with an NFL owner on the sidelines on game day… An owner bound to be looking for a new HC soon unless the Interim starts “living up there on the scoreboard” soon and making an unlikely playoff run..
A lot of people thought Dabo would be in over his head at Clemson once upon a time.. Still, the Raiders are not as far away as some think from playoff contention in 2022 if a good GM/HC can be hired and there would be an adjustment period for Swinney..
Think of the possibilities if the Raiders DID hire Dabo & Denver fired Dueling Bangio, then hired Ryan Day, well known as Dabo’s arch-enemy and stalker supreme..
This is a joke! Dabo is not leaving Clemson. College coaches rarely make it in the NFL.
We need a coach for the future, 8 in 8 years, really! Remember the formula in New England, who I hate. One coach, one qb for how many years??? Have you ever heard of continuity!!!
Lol yes RD you’re talking about the greatest HC and QB of all time
Raiders have an above average not great QB and no coach
Hiring a good GM will make the Raiders good again in time
Hey Nation gals guys!! What a debacle!! I love my team but we have to be one of the worst teams in the NFL right now and have been for at least 20 years. It’s so bad I don’t even know where to start. No kind of togetherness, no toughness, downright bad coaching you name it!! How do you let the same team who by the way got rid of their own offensive line beat you like a drum year in and year out?? Clean house with everyone and start over because obviously we have it wrong again…. Just sayin
My advice Mark Davis:
If you want a top notch franchise, seek out and mimic top notch franchises some common threads … Top coaches that have winning systems, an outstanding G.M., surround yourself with knowledgeable football people and get the hell out of the way. Lastly, be an owner that promotes continuity. Players do not do we’ll with constant changes.
Check out the Steelers and Patriot Organizations. How many head coaches have those teams had over the years? Very few. Continuity.
It doesn’t who’s the coach or the quarterback young or veteran they still going to be the same start the season looking like a playoff contender till after the bye week only win 1 or 2 games. They suck and they will always suck been a raider fan for about 40 years and won only 2 superbowls. I am very frustrated and disappointed like always. The raiders make it hard for me to stay raider nation 4 life.
You guys can’t even tackle or pressure a top rated offense and tide ends and receivers are always open. Other organizations are getting better but not the raiders. I don’t even watch them when they are televise.
It’s a bad idea to go after Jim Harbaugh. If he becomes the HC then I would have to root for another team I will no longer be a Raider fan anymore.
Richard, I agree completely. Preach it!
DABO. OK…..RIDDICK..OK…..WATSON GOOD MOVE……HIRING GOOD FOOTBALL PPL…AN GETTING OUTTA WAY MARK…GREAT MOVE
BEEN FAN HERE IN TEXAS OVER 45yrs….GET IT RIGHT DUDE….IT’S TIME …..CARR HAS 8YRS
NO PLAYOFF APPEARANCE!! ANYBODY ELSE WOULD OF BEEN GONE….MOVE ON ALREADY
WE CANT TAKE IT NO MORE MARK….