Getty Image / Dylan Buell
The Raiders franchise is looking for stability at head coach for the first time in a long time. The franchise has not had a coach last for five consecutive seasons since Tom Flores from 1982-1987.
This year was more of the same in terms of coaching turmoil. Josh McDaniels lasted just eight games into his second year before team owner Mark Davis had enough, leaving Antonio Pierce as interim coach.
While Las Vegas will miss the playoffs at 7-9, the team has looked much better under Antonio Pierce. The Raiders are 4-4 since he became head coach, despite having to start fifth-round rookie Aidan O’Connell at quarterback.
The team appears to be more disciplined and organized, and they seem to be playing harder for the former NFL linebacker than they ever did for Josh McDaniels.
Many think that Antonio Pierce should get the full-time gig after the season, and he got a big endorsement on Thursday when the team’s best player, defensive end Maxx Crosby, put his support behind Antonio Pierce.
Here’s Pro Football Talk with more.
The Raiders soon will launch their latest search for a new head coach. Star defensive end Maxx Crosby believes it shouldn’t take long to find the right person.
Crosby on Thursday made the case for interim coach Antonio Pierce getting the job.
“There’s only 32 [NFL] head coaches in the whole world,” Crosby said Thursday, via Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com. “So you’ve got to find a leader of men. And when you’ve got one of them in the building currently, I don’t know why you would let them go.”
Crosby in the midst of another dominant season, tallying 13.5 sacks with 18 hurries on the year. His word should carry weight as he is the leader of that team and an incredible competitor.
Pierce won Super Bowl XLII as the middle linebacker for the New York Giants, and was the Raiders’ linebackers coach before being promoted to interim head coach. He has no head coaching experience in his coaching career.
The Raiders wrap up their season against the Broncos on Sunday.