In a statement on X, the social media site that was then known as Twitter, the Raiders declared Pierce their new coach, removing the phrase “interim.” Together with Art Shell, Tom Cable, and Marty Feldman, he is the fourth interim coach the Raiders have promoted.

After Josh McDaniels was fired on Halloween night, 45-year-old Pierce assumed interim coaching duties. Under his leadership, the Raiders finished 8-9 overall and 5-4 on the field.

“Why wouldn’t we continue in the current path?” Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby stated following the team’s Jan. 7 27–14 victory over Denver. It’s difficult that in such a short period of time, we have united and accomplished something exceptional. One of our players has competed at the highest level,

Football player Jermaine Eluemunor of Las Vegas wrote on X, “I can’t think of anyone more deserving.” “The Raider route is the sole path that must exist in Vegas.”

Pierce will have the task of giving a once-famous team, which has missed the playoffs 19 times out of the previous 21 seasons, a championship pedigree.

Owner Mark Davis was not allowed to hire Pierce directly due to NFL hiring regulations. To meet the Rooney rule, Davis needed to conduct in-person interviews with a minimum of two external minority and/or female candidates. That was what he did.

Leslie Frazier, a former defensive coordinator for Buffalo, was interviewed by the Raiders. According to ESPN, the team also spoke with Kris Richard, a former co-defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints.

This hiring cycle, Pierce is the second Black coach to land a top position. The Novel

According to The Athletic, Davis is considering reorganising the front office, which may still involve Kelly, and has considered hiring a director of football operations.

Two years prior, Davis made an outside choice in McDaniels instead of player favourite Rich Bisaccia, and the Raiders made an unexpected late charge to the postseason.

Pierce will have to make choices about his staff, and it’s probable that he will examine his offence closely. Mick Lombardi’s midseason firing left Bo Hardegree as the offensive coordinator in interim, but it’s possible—possibly even likely—that Pierce leaves the team to take the position of offensive coordinator.

Beyond that, Pierce will have to collaborate on personnel matters with whoever is appointed general manager.

Josh Jacobs, the running back, needs his future to be decided as well. Following his 2022 NFL rush record-setting season, Jacobs and the Raiders’ application for the franchise tag sparked a contract disagreement. After training camp, the two parties decided on a one-year contract. This season, Jacobs’ output decreased from 1,653 yards to 805 yards, and he missed the last month due to a quadriceps ailment.

Former Coach of the Year expected to join Antonio Pierce’s staff with Raiders

Antonio Pierce, the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, may choose to appoint an experienced football mind to work alongside him after the interim tag was removed from his position.

Marvin Lewis, a former head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, is reportedly joining Pierce’s staff; however, it’s unclear exactly what his responsibilities will be. After Pierce was named the team’s temporary coach, Lewis joined the Raiders informally, but according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, he will have a more “formal” title.

It is a wise decision to guarantee Lewis a position on the Raiders roster. In addition to being a well-known figure, he has over twenty years of experience coaching in the NFL, thus he possesses an abundance of football knowledge.

Lewis first became well-known for his work as a defensive coordinator with the Washington Commanders and Baltimore Ravens, where he oversaw many top-five-ranked teams. He was appointed head coach of the Bengals in 2003, making history as the team’s ninth and first African American coach.