Raiders hire Antonio Pierce as the permanent head coach

Going into Friday there were seven vacant NFL head coaching jobs. Now there are six after the Raiders named Antonio Pierce as their permanent head coach. What Pierce brings to the Raiders is a high energy guy that knows what it means to be a Raider. And as Pierce has often stated “His resume is on the grass.”

Prior to taking over mid-season as the Raiders interim coach. The 45-year-old served as the team's linebacker's coach. Prior to that, Pierce was a defensive assistant and coordinator at Arizona State following his time as head coach of Long Beach Poly High in California.Pierce played nine-seasons as a NFL linebacker with Washington and the New York Giants from 2001-2009, Pierce was a hard-nosed player who earned a Pro Bowl bid and a Super Bowl win.

As the Raiders interim coach, he led the Raiders to a 3-1 record in the AFC West with a combined record of 5-4, doing all this with a rookie quarterback and first time play caller. Under Pierce the Raiders scored a franchise-record 63 points against the Los Angeles Chargers and beat the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium for only the second time since 2013. The Raiders led the NFL in fewest points allowed per game (16.0), defensive touchdowns (4) and fewest penalties (31) while having the 10th-most takeaways (14), being fourth in point differential (62) and tying for third most in sacks (30) from Week 9 through the end of the season.

“AP” as Raiders players called him, restored the swagger in his short time there. Pierce was raised in Compton California he was a huge fan of not only the Raiders when they called L.A. home but also N.W.A. Pierce would blast their music before and after practice and even in the stadium during pregame. Players such as Davante Adams and Maxx Crosby have voiced their support for Pierce. It should make for a smoother start for Pierce, but he has plenty of work ahead.

Ian Rappaport reported the Raiders will clean house when it comes to its offensive staff and will be looking to find its future signal caller. The Raiders signed Jimmy Garoppolo this past off-season. Garoppolo has a $28.5 million cap number in 2024 with $11.25 million guaranteed. Pierce went with rookie Aidan O'Connell as his starter, and though the first year QB flashed promise, he certainly isn't an overwhelming favorite to build the offense around. The Raiders will also have to decide if they want to keep impending free agent Josh Jacobs as well. 

Pierce is a well-respected person in league circles and with today’s announcement there may be no shortage of players chomping at the bit to come to the desert. The Raiders future just got a lot more exciting and has added a much-needed facelift to the organization.