NFL

Raiders to make Antonio Pierce head coach after impressive interim run

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Published Jan. 19, 2024
Updated Jan. 19, 2024, 7:27 p.m. ET

This time, owner Mark Davis will hire the Raiders’ interim head coach instead of pivoting in a different direction.

The team announced Friday that it is removing the interim label from Antonio Pierce — who went 5-4 after taking over for the fired Josh McDaniels — and keeping him for the full-time job.

The team posted a video on X of Pierce walking to a desk seemingly in the Raiders’ facility with the newly minted full-time coach saying: “Raider Nation, stand up.”

ESPN reported earlier on Friday that the sides were “finalizing” a deal.

Specifics of the move are not clear.

Though Pierce was the candidate that Raiders players favored, the former Giants linebacker also interviewed with the Titans, while the Falcons requested permission to interview him.

Antonio Pierce is finalizing a deal to become the next Raiders coach, according to ESPN.
Antonio Pierce will become the full-time coach of the Raiders. Getty Images

Davis had “some lingering regret” from 2021 and not hiring Rich Bisaccia — who replaced Jon Gruden as coach, stabilized a franchise filled with controversy and even led them to the postseason — full-time after the season, according to Sports Illustrated.

Raiders players had publicly supported Pierce.

“It’s obviously who I wanted and that’s my vote, and I’ve been vocal about that,” star wideout Davante Adams told reporters earlier this month. “That’s basically how the whole locker room feels and with good reason. He’s come in and done a great job. He’s continued to win us over. It’s not just the comfortable thing. I think having AP here will be good for this organization. He kind of embodies what it means to be a Raider.

Antonio Pierce went 5-4 during his stint as interim Raiders coach.
Antonio Pierce went 5-4 during his stint as interim Raiders coach. Getty Images

“That mentality, that swag and all the things he endorses is the things that I believe in. It’s easy for a guy like me, especially having dealt with him a little bit this year now and gotten to know him and see his evolution in front of the team. All those things, all those different fields of being a head coach. Definitely rooting for him.”

Defensive end Maxx Crosby might’ve even requested a trade if Pierce wasn’t hired, according to NFL Network.

“Let us build this thing and let’s see what we can do with it,” Crosby said on “The Rush with Maxx Crosby” podcast, according to The Athletic. “If it doesn’t work, then it doesn’t work, but I believe in him and I know this s— is going in the right direction and I feel like everybody else does as well. So, we got to do what’s right and bring A.P. back and bring [interim GM Champ Kelly] back, no question about it.”

Pierce spent the final five seasons of his NFL career with the Giants before transitioning into coaching, and he worked for four years on Arizona State’s staff before the Raiders hired him as their linebackers coach in 2022.