LAS VEGAS, NV – The Las Vegas Raiders have announced their decision to retain Antonio Pierce as their head coach. Sources have confirmed that the team plans to make an official announcement soon.
Pierce has a strong connection to the Raiders, having grown up in Compton as a fan of the team. He was also in consideration for other head coaching positions, but ultimately chose to stay in Vegas.
After taking over for previous head coach Josh McDaniels in Week 9, Pierce led the team to a 5-4 record. The Raiders experienced several key victories under Pierce’s leadership, including a historic 63-21 defeat of the rival Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15 and a 20-14 upset victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day.
Comparing Pierce’s performance as interim head coach to that of McDaniels in 2023, the Raiders saw a significant improvement under Pierce’s guidance. They achieved three double-digit wins in just nine games, compared to zero under McDaniels. Additionally, the Raiders’ defense thrived with Pierce at the helm, allowing an average of only 16 points per game, the best record in the league from Weeks 9-18.
Pierce’s impact was also felt in the team’s locker room, where All-Pro pass rusher Maxx Crosby reportedly threatened to request a trade if Pierce was not hired as the full-time head coach. This strong endorsement from one of the team’s star players speaks to the positive atmosphere and camaraderie created by Pierce.
Prior to joining the Raiders’ coaching staff, Pierce had a successful career as a linebacker for Washington and the New York Giants, helping lead the Giants to a Super Bowl victory in 2006. He first entered the coaching world in 2014 as an assistant at Long Beach Poly high school and later worked as a linebackers coach, associate head coach, and defensive coordinator at Arizona State. He was hired by the Raiders in 2022 as their linebackers coach and has now been promoted to head coach.
