As of midday Monday, Antonio Pierce is still the head coach of the Raiders and according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, the situation in Las Vegas is trending toward Pierce keeping his job.
”I know a lot of folks think it’s a foregone conclusion that [the Raiders] are going to make a coaching change, but those folks are on the outside,” Garafolo reported on Sunday.
”On the inside of the building it’s sounds like there’s a lot of optimism that Antonio Pierce will continue as the head coach of the Raiders… Davis has been pleased with the last couple of weeks, understands there’s not a lot of talent, and there is a lot of youth on the roster.”
A day later, Garafolo doubled down a little more on those comments.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we get a statement at some point today indicating that Antonio Pierce is going to continue to be the head coach of the Raiders in 2025,” Garafolo reported on Monday.
Garafolo added that there is a good chance the Raiders will be looking for new coordinators on both sides of the ball and that scenario would bring a new set of challenges for the organization.
Pierce met with members of the media on Monday morning and said he hasn’t “heard anything different” about his status with the team.
Based on recent reports, Pierce will be entering the final year of his contract in 2025, and the situation in Las Vegas isn’t likely to be one that will draw the interest of top coordinator candidates around the league.
There is extreme uncertainty around the Raiders at the quarterback position and with Maxx Crosby’s future with the organization seemingly up in the air, it’s highly unlikely that prospective assistants are going to be beating the doors down to get to Las Vegas.
The draw to hiring a high-profile coach like Mike Vrabel would be the coaching staff he would be able to bring with him. Essentially, Vrabel would be the draw for prospective coaches and players.
If Pierce stays for the final year of his contract, he will enter the 2025 season as a lame duck coach essentially starting the season on the hot seat.
And last but not least… what are the chances the Raiders will be able to hire an upgrade over Patrick Graham (assuming he leaves) to run the defense next year?
x: @raidersbeat
Starting to get nervous, why isn’t Antonio Pierce fired already!
Maybe they cant get Vrabel for Head Coach,,,,and we dont need a recycled fired coach from another team,,,so guess Pierce is the lesser of two evils! I fully expected him to be already fired! So not getting Vrabel my only guess!
Vrabel was fired by TEN after two straight losing seasons.
And now Tennessee has the first pick in the draft without him.
This is By Far the Most F’ed up Organization in ALL of Sports… If Mark doesn’t take a Minute to Stop Counting his Money and Start REALLY paying Attention – The League Will assasinate him just Like They Assasinated the Best Coach he has Ever Hired – Gruden. THe League will sell the Raiders to a SUPER Wealthy friend of Pope Goodell. Make a Stand Mark – Re-Hire Gruden and make your Father Proud. Pierce is Not a Bad Guy – Just Way in Over his head as a Top Dog.
Go get Gruden, you are already paying him so put him to work.
Gruden was terrible at drafting! Bringing him back is ridiculous!
Look I’m a Chiefs fan so I’m sure you might ignore my statement but in general Head Coaches don’t draft, GM’s do. Yes I know when Gruden was with the Raiders last he has final say, but it doesn’t have to be that way. The bigger concern for the Raiders should be in his 3+ years back he never had a full season better than 8-8 and his hard nose coaching style doesn’t work well with Gen Z players.
Gruden would want full control and he was horrible as a gm drafting in the 1st round. Only way u bring gruden back is as a coordinator and he isn’t doing that
The Raiders need to do something that isn’t natural for Mark Davis. They need to approach this situation rationally, with a sound decision-making process with the goal of having some type of organizational plan or philosophy.
That means the Raiders should put aside the win- loss record, the injuries, the trade request, etc. and focus on one simple question: Is Antonio Pierce up to the task of turning the Raiders into contenders. What are his strengths? What are his weaknesses? Has he shown improvement when addressing his weaknesses? Can he build a good staff, and surround himself with the right people? If they decide to move on, are better options available? If they fired him, would he get serious HC consideration with any other franchise?
To me, when you do that analysis, the answer is pretty clear. But maybe there are mitigating factors we’re not privy to from the outside. Ultimately, this is where having a strong organizational brain trust helps, but lord knows the Raiders haven’t had that.
Just checked in to see the fanbase hand wringing and pearl clutching😂😂
They need to fire Pierce. Hay Mark, Pierce is in way over his head. Mark you can’t keep saying your rebuilding. Not for the last 20yrs. This team is so bad, hell I’d bet they couldn’t even beat the top 7 college football team. Anyone who thinks Aiden O’Connell is a starting qb, doesn’t know a thing.
If they give him a honest chance I bet he could be a starting quarterback for the NFL. Keep pierce and A D get jeanty from Boise st and improve the off. Line secondary and we shall win at least 10 games
He’s a great coach. I would love to see him back, but i agree with you, he sucks at drafting. Although he did draft Maxx Crosby.
Peirce is the best thing for the Raiders organization that saying get a **** Quarterback and a Offensive coordinator and a defensive coordinator and Defensive line and keep it moving forward let’s go!!!!!!!
Quarterback and a Offensive coordinator and a defensive coordinator and Defensive line and keep it moving forward let’s go!!!!!!!