It wasn’t all that surprising that the Raiders fired Josh McDaniels midseason after his team felt lifeless after a Monday Night Football loss to the Lions. The Raiders were trending in the wrong direction as a franchisee and needed a change in scenery.
But what is surprising is who was promoted to interim head coach and the immediate success that came after. In a recent article by ESPN, they named Antonio Pierce as one of the most pleasant surprises of the 2023
Promoted from linebackers coach upon the Halloween night firing of Josh McDaniels, Pierce, who had never been a head coach above the high school level, immediately implemented a player-friendly culture.
The Raiders responded with consecutive victories over the Giants and Jets and celebrated with locker room cigar parties. The good vibes ebbed with losses to the Dolphins and Chiefs entering the bye, but Pierce has the attention of the 5-7 Raiders, who still hold out hope for a late-season run, thanks in part to Pierce’s effect.
The Raiders are 2-2 in their four games with Pierce as the interim head coach, but it will be fascinating to see how they finish out the year. If he can get the Raiders close to .500, it wouldn’t be a surprise for him to land the head coaching job this offseason.
