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Las Vegas Raiders fire head coach after just one full-time season
Mark Anderson • January 8th, 2025 10:42 am
Photo: AP
The Las Vegas Raiders have fired Antonio Pierce after just one season as their full-time coach, the latest in a line of coaching changes over the past several years.
"We appreciate Antonio's leadership, first as an interim head coach and this past season as the head coach," the NFL team said in a statement on Tuesday (Wednesday NZDT).
"Antonio grew up a Raiders fan and his Silver and Black roots run deep. We are grateful for his ability to reignite what it means to be a Raider throughout the entire organization. We wish nothing but the best for Antonio and his family in the future."
Pierce took over as interim coach midway through the 2023 season and went 5-4 the rest of the way, earning strong player support for him to get the job on a full-time basis.
But after a 2-2 start, the Raiders went on a 10-game losing streak to put his job in jeopardy.
The Raiders dealt with a number of injuries, including to defensive linemen Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins, navigated the Davante Adams early-season drama that culminated with a trade to the New York Jets, and finished the season 4-13.
Pierce was the fourth full-time Raiders coach - Rich Bisaccia closed out the 2021 season as the interim coach - in the past decade.
As for where the Raiders turn next, Mike Vrabel has been rumoured as a possible candidate. He and Raiders minority owner Tom Brady were teammates with the Patriots, but Vrabel also figures to attract a lot of attention from other clubs, perhaps including in New England.
There are also other pressing issues for the club. Las Vegas need a franchise quarterback, something Pierce did not have at his disposal. Aidan O'Connell has proven to be a capable starter, but hasn't shown he has the ability or consistency to take a team deep into the playoffs.
But simply making the playoffs would be a major step forward for whichever coach gets the job. The Raiders' most recent post-season appearance was three years ago. Before that, they advanced to the playoffs just once since losing in the Super Bowl for the 2002 season.
- AP
