Las Vegas, Nevada – After the Las Vegas Raiders’ season-ending victory over the Denver Broncos, team owner Mark Davis expressed his enthusiasm for interim head coach Antonio Pierce’s performance. The Raiders finished the season with a 5-4 record under Pierce’s leadership. However, Davis did not provide a specific timeline for appointing a permanent coach and acknowledged the need to conduct interviews, including at least two with external minority candidates to comply with the Rooney Rule.
Davis praised the team’s strong finish, particularly their 4-2 division record, which he considered a positive outcome. He highlighted the Raiders’ impressive wins against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Broncos, emphasizing the importance of divisional success. Finishing with an 8-9 record, the Raiders secured second place in the AFC West, improving upon last season by two games.
Under Pierce’s guidance, the team showed resilience and competitiveness, bouncing back from quizzical losses to secure impressive victories against the New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers, Chiefs, and Broncos. However, these efforts were not enough to secure a playoff spot, as the Raiders missed the postseason for the 19th time in 21 seasons.
When Pierce was appointed interim coach, Davis had emphasized his desire for Pierce to “lead” and “delegate” rather than focus solely on coaching. Sunday’s postgame locker room atmosphere was described as having a vintage Los Angeles Raiders feel, which resonated with Pierce’s affinity for the team from his childhood in Compton.
Notable Raiders alumni, including Pro Football Hall of Famers Charles Woodson, Mike Haynes, Richard Seymour, Marcus Allen, Ted Hendricks, and Jim Otto, as well as two-time Super Bowl champion QB Jim Plunkett, celebrated with the current players, highlighting the positive response to Pierce’s leadership.
Pierce’s ability to create a winning culture and foster a strong sense of history within the team garnered praise from players like Maxx Crosby, who commended Pierce’s embrace of the Raiders’ legacy. The presence of Raiders legends in the locker room further exemplified the respect and admiration bestowed upon Pierce.
Impressed by Pierce’s coaching style, Woodson referred to his understanding of Raider football and the team’s toughness, qualities that were immediately evident from the day Pierce took over. Pierce’s prior head-coaching experience was at the high school level, and he had served as an assistant at Arizona State before joining McDaniels’ staff in 2022.
Looking ahead, Pierce expressed the importance of growth and building a solid foundation for the team. He emphasized establishing a team culture, defining its identity, and ensuring that players and coaches reflect his vision. Pierce recognizes the challenges of implementing such changes midway through the season and looks forward to the opportunity to have more time for bonding and chemistry-building in future training camps.
While Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh’s name has been mentioned in connection with the Raiders’ head coaching position, Davis stated that he will proceed with interviews and announce his decision later. The team owner jokingly suggested that the decision might be made before the next season.
In summary, the Las Vegas Raiders finished the season with a 5-4 record under interim head coach Antonio Pierce, impressing team owner Mark Davis. Pierce’s leadership was praised for reviving the team’s spirit and embodying the values of the Raiders. Despite missing the playoffs, the Raiders showed resilience and secured notable victories. The search for a permanent head coach continues, with at least two interviews required to comply with the Rooney Rule. The team looks forward to further growth and the opportunity to establish a strong foundation for future success.