Breaking: Raiders Fire Antonio Pierce Amid Defensive Struggles: Time for a Change
Following another disappointing season without a playoff appearance, the Las Vegas Raiders fired head coach Antonio Pierce. Pierce has been in the coaching world since 2014 but spent nine years in the NFL as a linebacker.
Raiders Fire Antonio Pierce After One Season
Antonio Pierce originally joined the Las Vegas Raiders as a linebackers coach in the 2022 season. Brought alongside Josh McDaniels, the former linebacker was one of the few coaches to thrive under the former Patriots offensive coordinator. Taking over as interim head coach midway through the 2023 season, Pierce guided the team to a 5-4 record during his nine games at the helm.
Even though he was only the interim head coach, several players publicly said they wanted him to keep the position in 2024. They got their wish, but the results were not what anyone hoped for. Struggling to find success with the underwhelming quarterback duo of Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew, the team finished the season in the last place and will once again start their search for a new head coach.
Pierce originally began his NFL journey as an undrafted free agent following the 2001 NFL Draft. Signing with the Washington Redskins, the Arizona product began his career as a backup before earning a starting job in 2004. Recording 114 tackles in the final year of his rookie deal, Pierce earned a job with the New York Giants in 2005.
He maintained his high level of play, recording triple-digit tackles in each of the next three seasons while making a Pro Bowl in 2006 and winning a Super Bowl over the undefeated New England Patriots in 2007. He played two more years in the league over that, finishing his career with nine sacks, 691 tackles, and 39 tackles-for-loss.
A few years after his retirement, Pierce became head coach of Long Beach Polytechnic High School. After three years there, he joined Arizona State University as a linebackers coach.
