The Las Vegas Raiders fired head coach Josh McDaniel on Nov. 1, 2023, and then made the surprising decision to make Antonio Pierce the interim coach. He did enough to keep the job coming into this season. However, the results this year should prompt a search for new Raiders coaching candidates to replace him.
Pierce went 5-4 as the interim coach last year, including wins over the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers. The on-field success and buy-in from the Raiders locker room led to All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby reportedly telling the organization he would demand a trade if Pierce didn’t remain the Raiders coach.
- Antonio Pierce coaching record: 7-11 overall as the Las Vegas Raiders coach
One year later, Pierce fired the offensive coordinator he hired just months ago and there are NFL rumors that Crosby and other Raiders players have issues with Pierce’s leadership style. With the team at the bottom of the NFL standings and Tom Brady now heavily involved in the organization, it’s time to evaluate Raiders coaching candidates for next season.
Bill Belichick, former New England Patriots head coach
It should come as no surprise that Bill Belichick will make the list of Raiders coaching candidates for 2025. This is the same organization that tried to recreate “The Patriot Way” without Belichick and failed miserably. However, Raiders owner Mark Davis would absolutely see the future Hall of Fame coach as the figure who could bring stability, respect and culture to a franchise that desperately needs it.
For one thing, Belichick would help this Raiders defense. Las Vegas currently ranks bottom 10 in opponents’ third-down conversion rate and has the seventh-highest opponents’ Success Rate allowed this season. Meanwhile, in Belichick’s last season with the New England Patriots, they allowed the seventh-lowest conversion rate on third downs (36.29 percent) and the seventh-lowest Success Rate (41 percent). Plus, he would be overseeing a defense with an All-Pro talent in Crosby, a Pro Bowl defensive tackle in Christian Wilkins and some other lesser pieces to work with.
The Raiders absolutely need the culture change and accountability that Belichick would bring, the question is if Brady would sign off on the move. Belichick’s appearance at the roast suggests the relationship has improved somewhat and at the very least, Brady knows Belichick can bring qualities Las Vegas needs.
Mike Vrabel, former Tennessee Titans head coach
While Belichick is one of the most obvious Raiders coaching candidates, Mike Vrabel seems far more likely to be hired. He can bring many of the same qualities that Davis would be looking for in another attempt to replicate the “Patriot Way”, but unlike Josh McDaniels, Vrabel has already proven he can be successful as an NFL head coach.
