This season, the Las Vegas Raiders became the first NFL team to fire their head coach. On Tuesday night, owner Mark Davis made the decision to separate ways with offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi, general manager Dave Ziegler, and head coach Josh McDaniels.
Following the NFL trade deadline and the Raiders’ second straight loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday night, the decision was made. The Raiders offense was a complete bust, scoring just one touchdown and continuing their season-long trend of falling short of 20 points.
Although a lot of supporters had been demanding McDaniels’ dismissal, the timing was a little unexpected. However, Davis shared his thoughts on the move, saying he thought the team was just headed in the wrong direction, according to ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez:
“Unfortunately, I had great hopes for Josh and Dave,” Davis told ESPN on Wednesday. “It just seemed we were going in the wrong direction. So, with the trade deadline, I just felt it was time to make a change, time to make a move.”
It is hoped that this move will give the Raiders a little boost and allow them to somehow save this season. The Raiders are not far from a playoff spot, despite their current record of 3-5, but a strong second half of the season is necessary if they hope to make it there.
Antonio Pierce, the team’s linebackers coach and a former player who played for the New York Giants and won a Super Bowl, will be leading the charge. Davis acknowledged being pleased with his strategy for outlining the reasons he was chosen to take the helm:
Davis said he was “intrigued” enough by Pierce’s bio — including a nine-year NFL career at linebacker, one Pro Bowl selection and a Super Bowl title with the New York Giants — to have a sitdown with him.
“Seemed like a fresh approach,” Davis said. “Seemed like the adjustment we need at this time. I was impressed.”
This is definitely not a situation that the Raiders aren’t used to. Just two seasons ago, when the Raiders made the playoffs, they also underwent a coaching change in the middle of the season but ultimately rallied together to push into the postseason.
Pierce has an opportunity to prove he is capable of being an NFL head coach, and if he and his staff can figure out a way to open up the offense and pick up the intensity on defense, perhaps the Raiders can make another run.
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