There is nothing official yet as to who the Raiders head coach will be next season. But Antonio Pierce sure sounds like the job is his.
The interim Raiders head coach appeared at the Martin Luther King Jr Day Parade today along with Raiders legend Richard Seymour and interim general manager Champ Kelly. They were all smiles for the event.
Living the dream! Caught a shot of Raiders’ finest legendary Richard Seymour, Coach Antonio Pierce, and GM Champ Kelly representing at the MLK parade. @BigSey93 @tashanreed #Raiders #FutureOfTheRaiders pic.twitter.com/BX52SipNIv
— Janee (@JaneeM23) January 15, 2024
Worth noting is the Seymour recently announced he has taken a role with the Raiders.
I’m humbled by and grateful for the trust of the Davis family and Raiders organization—and excited about the opportunity to help build on the Raiders’ extraordinary legacy.
When I was a player, Mr. Davis and the Raiders afforded me possibilities that I never could have…— Richard Seymour (@BigSey93) January 14, 2024
The Raiders had been holding interviews for the general manager position and were supposedly not going to start the process of interviewing head coach candidates until after the GM process had completed. Well, Monday they interviewed Leslie Frazier, which they could do prior to Jan 22 because Frazier is not employed by a team. And the interview satisfies the Rooney Rule.
So, could that suggest Champ Kelly has been retained as GM?
If so, that picture would look like three excited Raiders employees.
If that wasn’t enough, here’s Pierce all smiles while appearing in an interview during the parade. And while he was clear to say it isn’t “official” yet, everything else he said suggests he’s got the job.
"It's a dream. I don't want to pinch myself until it becomes official."
Antonio Pierce talks racial inclusion and Raiders head coach candidacy with @KTNV at MLK parade in Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/oDEbkw6iY6
— Nick Walters (@nickwalt) January 15, 2024
“It’s a dream,” Pierce said of getting the job. “I don’t want to pinch myself just yet until it becomes official and we put a stamp on this bad boy, but I’m very humbled and honored.”
That sounds like and looks like someone who’s got the job.