Popular Pierce named Raiders head coach

By Frank Cooney, The Sports Xchange

Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis endeared himself to the team's players and fans Friday by upgrading Antonio Pierce from interim to full-fledged head coach, a move that not only was popular, but probably averted a mutiny.

Pierce, famously a “Straight Outta Compton” Raider fan since childhood, recaptured the team’s historic, if not somewhat illusory, swagger following the popular firing of Josh McDaniels on Halloween, when it was painfully clear the “Patriot Way” costume was a terrible fit for this franchise.

Pierce was a linebacker and captain on the New York Giants team that ruined the Patriots undefeated season in Super Bowl XLII, 17-14. Pierce led the Giants with 11 tackles.

This year he vigorously tackled his interim job in a way that recaptured the attention of long-suffering Raider Nation. Pierce took over a 3-5 team and guided it to a 5-4 finish. Featuring one of the best defenses in the league, the Raiders were in every game.

Raiders fans were not the only ones calling for Pierce to stay. Raiders players, past and present, were vocal about wanting to keep Pierce.

All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby said if Pierce wasn’t retained that he would go to a different team. The Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons were also interested in Pierce as a head coach.

In the eyes of some, this rights a wrong that led to the team’s further demise two years ago, when Davis decided to hire McDaniels rather than stick with then-interim coach Rich Bisaccia, who had galvanized the team and piloted it to a playoff berth. This time around, Davis opted to make Pierce full time.

Embracing the Raider way and Silver and Black swagger, Pierce won over the locker room in quick fashion this past season. He coached them to memorable victories, such as a win over the New York Giants in his debut, a 63-21 demolishing of the Los Angeles Chargers and a streak-busting triumph over the Kansas City Chiefs.

The 45-year-old took on his interim role with little NFL coaching experience. He was the coach at Long Beach Poly High School from 2014 to 2017 before moving to the college ranks at Arizona State, where he worked his way up from linebackers coach to associate head coach and defensive coordinator, while also leading their recruiting efforts. Pierce earned respect not just through his nine seasons as a physical linebacker but through the relationships he has built as a coach. 

Pierce became the linebackers coach with the Raiders last season and soon made an impression on the players. Pierce said the passion that shines through his words exists because it is real and genuine.

“I grew up in Compton, California," he said. “I was born a Raider. I was born with the Raiders rolling in the Coliseum, in L.A. I was rolling with NWA, talking Straight Outta Compton, rocking Raider hats. So when the opportunity came to work with (the Raiders), I jumped on it. So that’s what set me up for this. I was born this way.’

A nine-season NFL linebacker with Washington and the New York Giants (2001–2009), Pierce was a hard-nosed player who earned a Pro Bowl bid and a Super Bowl win with New York in 2007.

In his short time as the Raiders' head coach, Pierce proved to be the polar opposite of his predecessor, bringing energy, volume and a positive attitude to the club that was demoralized under McDaniels.

Along with Crosby, receiver Davante Adams voiced his strong support or retaining Pierce.

Perhaps the No. 1 item on Pierce’s to-do list will be to make, or finalize, a decision at quarterback. Ahead of the 2023 campaign, the Raiders signed Jimmy Garoppolo, who had a history with McDaniels. 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 has not shown himself to be a franchise quarterback at this point.

Running back Josh Jacobs, who was sidelined at the end of the season with a quad injury, is an impending free agent.

Las Vegas has been to the playoffs just twice over the past 21 seasons and hasn't won a division title or a playoff game since 2002.