Las Vegas Raiders fire Antonio Pierce after just one season in charge

By James On Jan 7, 2025

The Las Vegas Raiders fired Antonio Pierce on Tuesday after just one season as their full-time coach, the latest in a series of coaching changes in recent years.

“We appreciate Antonio’s leadership, first as interim head coach and last season as head coach,” the team said in a statement. “Antonio grew up a Raiders fan and his silver and black roots run deep. We are grateful for his ability to redefine what it means to be a Raider throughout the organization. We wish nothing but the best for Antonio and his family in the future.”

Pierce took over as interim coach midway through the 2023 season and went 5-4 the rest of the way, earning strong support from the players to get the job on a full-time basis.

But this season, after a 2-2 start, the Raiders went on a 10-game losing streak, putting his job in jeopardy. The Raiders dealt with a number of injuries, including those to defensive linemen Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins, endured the early season Davante Adams drama that culminated in a trade to the New York Jets and finished the season with 4 -13.

Pierce was the fourth full-time Raiders coach — Rich Bisaccia finished the 2021 season as interim coach — in the past decade.

As for where the Raiders will turn next, Mike Vrabel has been rumored to be a possible candidate. He and Raiders minority owner Tom Brady were teammates on the Patriots, but Vrabel also figures to attract a lot of attention from other clubs with openings, perhaps including in New England.

However, the Raiders face pressures other than coaching, including at running back and over their defense. They need a franchise quarterback, something Pierce didn’t have at his disposal. Aidan O’Connell has proven to be an adequate starter, but has not shown the ability or consistency to take a team deep into the playoffs.

But simply making the playoffs would be a big step forward for whichever coach gets the job. The Raiders’ most recent postseason appearance was three years ago; prior to that, they had advanced to the playoffs just once since losing in the Super Bowl in the 2002 season.