Alright, the most significant move made by the Las Vegas Raiders in January was the expected promotion of interim head coach Antonio Pierce to full-time coach. Let’s now examine the next plans for the new coach and the team:
A general manager has to be hired by the Raiders. Six candidates were interviewed. It was anticipated that Champ Kelly, the acting general manager who has been closely collaborating with Pierce since their takeover on Halloween night, would also receive a promotion.
There is intrigue, though. It was anticipated that owner Mark Davis would appoint the general manager initially when the Raiders began their offseason search for a new management.
But Pierce was hired first by Davis. Following Pierce’s hire, there was a story stating that Kelly, who had two interviews with the Raiders in the previous week, was having meetings with the team. According to rumours, Ed Dobbs, the deputy general manager for the Colts, may be a finalist with Kelly and that he and Pierce share an agent. Therefore, there’s a chance Dobbs gets hired.
The majority of the offensive coaching staff is anticipated to be changed. The New York Giants have already signed offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo, and according to NFL Media, interim offensive coordinator Bo Hardegree will not be coming back. The post of offensive coordinator will be Pierce’s most crucial hire for two reasons: Strong offensive leadership is essential for any defensive-minded coach, and the Raiders’ offence had trouble staying consistent for a large portion of the previous campaign. Reports have stated that the former Pierce plans to target Kliff Kingsbury, the head coach of Arizona. However, Kingsbury is having an interview with the Chicago Bears for the same position. There undoubtedly will be more contenders. If Patrick Graham, the defensive coordinator, is not hired as head coach, expect the majority of the defensive staff to return to Las Vegas. He had interviews with the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Chargers.
Pierce will be accompanied by a few mentors. NFL Media stated that he will receive assistance in staff construction from Tom Coughlin, his Super Bowl-winning coach with the New York Giants, and that Marvin Lewis, with whom he collaborated at Arizona State, is anticipated to play a part on the 2024 team.
With so many well-known head coaches available on the open market, the Las Vegas Raiders faced a difficult choice after a strong finish to the 2023 NFL regular season regarding their long-term head coach.
After Jim Harbaugh of the University of Michigan won the National Championship for the Wolverines and declared his intention to return to the NFL with the goal of earning that elusive Super Bowl victory, all the signals appeared to be pointing towards the team going all out for him.
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