It’s not Goodbye but see You again Antonio Pierce announced final departure from Raiders today…..
The Las Vegas Raiders have removed the interim tag from Antonio Pierce’s title and made him the organization’s full-time coach.
Pierce, 45, was promoted from linebackers coach in the wake of the Halloween night firing of Josh McDaniels. He reinvigorated a then-dour Raiders locker room with post-victory cigar celebrations, and his embracing of the team’s culture garnered support from players and alumni alike. Las Vegas went 5-4 to end the season.
His players-first mentality comes from playing linebacker in the NFL for nine seasons with Washington (2001-2004) and the New York Giants (2005-2009), earning Pro Bowl honors in 2006. He was also a key member of the Giants team that beat the then-undefeated New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII.Still, after finishing 8-9, the Raiders have two winning records and two playoff appearances — after the 2016 and 2021 seasons — since appearing in Super Bowl XXXVII in January 2003.
Pierce is the seventh coach (regular and interim) Raiders owner Mark Davis has hired since assuming control of the franchise upon his father Al Davis’ passing in 2011, along with Dennis Allen, Tony Sparano, Jack Del Rio, Jon Gruden, Rich Bisaccia and McDaniels.
Taking a closer look, Raiders reporter Paul Gutierrez answers four big questions about the hiring of Pierce, including what comes next. National reporter Jeremy Fowler dishes on what he’s hearing about the hire, and draft analyst Matt Miller spins it forward to the draft. Finally, front office analyst Mike Tannenbaum grades the hire.
