Tag: Antonio Pierce

Dec 29, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce looks on against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Raiders fire head coach Antonio Pierce

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Las Vegas Raiders fired head coach Antonio Pierce on Tuesday, two days after concluding a 4-13 season.

Pierce, 46, went 9-17 over 1 1/2 seasons as coach. He first became coach on an interim basis after the midseason firing of Josh McDaniels in 2023.

“The Las Vegas Raiders have relieved Antonio Pierce of his duties as head coach,” the team said in its announcement. “We appreciate Antonio’s leadership, first as an interim head coach and this past season as the head coach.

“Antonio grew up a Raiders fan and his Silver and Black roots run deep. We are grateful for his ability to reignite what it means to be a Raider throughout the entire organization. We wish nothing but the best for Antonio and his family in the future.”

The Raiders had a 10-game losing streak during the gloomy 2024 season. Las Vegas lost six games by double digits during the streak and nine overall.

Gardner Minshew was the starting quarterback at the outset of the season and Aidan O’Connell was the other main quarterback used by the club. Tight end Brock Bowers was one of the bright spots with an NFL rookie-record 112 receptions.

Speaking at a press conference Monday, Pierce felt confident he would remain as coach. But an organization that has missed the postseason in 20 of the past 22 seasons felt differently.

Pierce spent nine seasons in the NFL as a linebacker with Washington (2001-04) and the New York Giants (2005-09).

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce looks on against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Antonio Pierce operating as Raiders’ coach until he hears otherwise

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Las Vegas Raiders players credited head coach Antonio Pierce for keeping them motivated despite a 10-game losing streak and 4-13 season, and the team unity is part of the reason he expects to be back as head coach in 2025.

“I’m really proud of how we finished the season,” Pierce said on Monday at his usual day-after-game press conference.

Pierce said he is continuing to fulfill his role as head coach and hasn’t heard “anything different,” leading to the expectation that he willl be in the role in 2025.

Tight end Brock Bowers and quarterback Aidan O’Connell were among the players who said Sunday they wanted Pierce to return.

“Just being myself every day. I never change, win, lose or draw,” Pierce said. “It was challenging. When you lose 10 straight, how do you keep going in front of the team to motivate them? … I thought you saw some things, you could see the players improving.”

“We’ve got to get better players, got to coach better. You’ve got to do a lot of different things better when you win four games.”

Pierce said he doesn’t want to make major changes to the coaching staff and expects to have a conversation with general manager Tom Telesco and owner Mark Davis.

Pierce said he hopes to have a bigger impact in draft preparation and is familiar with the quarterback prospects in the 2025 class.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce celebrates after the Raiders made a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the third quarter at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Raiders’ Pierce after win hurts draft order: ‘We don’t do this to lose’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Before Week 16, the Las Vegas Raiders were neck-and-neck with the New York Giants for the distinction of worst record in the NFL and the reward that comes with it: the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.

The Raiders (3-12) have now plummeted out of the top five thanks to their 19-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.

Raiders coach Antonio Pierce didn’t want hear about it when addressing reporters Monday, one day after fans on social media trashed the organization for winning a so-called meaningless game that hurt their draft position.

He said fans more concerned with the team’s 2025 draft picks should “Talk to Tom Telesco” — Las Vegas’ general manager — before going deeper.

“We don’t do this to lose,” Pierce said. “We don’t do this for anybody’s fantasy football team. We don’t do this for anybody’s draft projections. None of that (expletive) matters to us. The only thing that matters is winning, and that’s all we want to do.”

The Raiders’ win was their first since Sept. 29, ending a 10-game losing streak. The Giants lost their 10th straight game to be the NFL’s only 2-13 team.

Las Vegas is not only tied with four other teams at 3-12, but it currently sits in the No. 6 overall spot because it loses the strength of schedule tiebreaker to the New England Patriots, Jaguars, Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns.

It’s felt acutely by Raiders fans because the franchise has run into a black hole at quarterback. Las Vegas has used Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell and Desmond Ridder at the position, with none making a case to be the starter in 2025 and beyond.

Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Miami’s Cam Ward are the only two quarterbacks projected to go in the first round by many recent mock drafts.

The last time the Raiders got to select No. 1 overall in 2007, they picked QB JaMarcus Russell, widely considered one of the biggest NFL draft busts of all time.

The Raiders’ two remaining games come Dec. 29 at the New Orleans Saints and in Week 18 at home against the Los Angeles Chargers.

–Field Level Media

Nov 24, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce reacts in the first half against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Antonio Pierce on future with Raiders: ‘I’m under contract’

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Hours removed from the Raiders’ 12th loss in 14 games, head coach Antonio Pierce described conversations about the franchise’s future with owner Mark Davis as positive.

Las Vegas (2-12) is tied with the New York Giants for the worst record in the NFL with three games remaining. The Raiders have lost 10 consecutive games since beating the Cleveland Browns 20-16 on Sept. 29.

Asked if he thought he would be back next season, Pierce said Tuesday, “I’m under contract.”

Davis said in Dallas at the NFL owners meetings last week he wanted to see progress from the Raiders, but would withhold any evaluation of the organization and Pierce until the season ends. Behind closed doors, Pierce said chats with Davis are frequent and upbeat.

“Me and Mark Davis talk often, and the conversations have been the same as they always are — very positive,” Pierce said.

The Raiders could find their way into the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft. The organization last held the No. 1 pick in 2007 and selected LSU’s JaMarcus Russell.

Quarterback remains a week-to-week variable for the franchise. Desmond Ridder started in the 15-9 loss to the Falcons on Monday, but Pierce said Aidan O’Connell (knee) is “trending upward” toward being available to play when the Raiders face the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11) on Sunday.

Ridder was intercepted in the end zone on the final play of the game Monday. He completed 23 of 39 passes for 208 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions.

–Field Level Media

May 15, 2021; Ashburn, Virginia, USA; Former Washington Football Team head coach Norv Turner watches rookie minicamp at Inova Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-Imagn Images

Report: Raiders hiring Norv Turner as assistant

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The Las Vegas Raiders are hiring Norv Turner as an assistant, NFL Network reported Tuesday.

He is joining the Raiders as his son, Scott, reportedly is in the mix to be calling the offensive plays when the team returns from its bye week. Scott Turner serves as the Raiders’ passing-game coordinator under head coach Antonio Pierce.

The report comes on the heels of Las Vegas firing offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, offensive line coach James Cregg and quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello late Sunday night. All three were in their first season with the Raiders.

Norv Turner, 72, is rejoining the franchise after posting a 9-23 record as its head coach in 2004 and 2005 while the team was based in Oakland. He also served as a head coach in Washington (1994-2000) and the then-San Diego Chargers from 2007-12 and has an overall 49-59-1 record.

He last was on an NFL staff in 2019 as a special assistant and offensive coordinator with the Carolina Panthers under head coach Ron Rivera.

–Field Level Media

Sep 29, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) walks the sideline before the start of a game between the Raiders and the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Raiders’ Antonio Pierce: ‘Ask Davante’ why rift developed

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Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce remained mum on the tension between the team and disgruntled star receiver Davante Adams, who requested a trade last week.

Speaking to reporters Monday after the Raiders’ 34-18 loss at the Denver Broncos the day before, Pierce was asked what he thought sparked Adams’ discontent with the team.

“I don’t know,” Pierce said. “I think you’ve got to ask Davante that.”

Adams has missed Las Vegas’ last two games due to a right hamstring injury. The 31-year-old is about fully healed, per NFL Network, but his next appearance may not come in a Raiders uniform.

ESPN reported that multiple teams are interested in potentially trading for Adams, with the New York Jets and the New Orleans Saints viewed as the favorites to acquire the six-time Pro Bowler.

Adams spent eight seasons catching passes from current Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers with the Green Bay Packers. He reunited with former Fresno State teammate Derek Carr last season in Las Vegas before Carr joined the Saints this year.

The Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers are also potential suitors, per ESPN.

Adams has 18 catches for 209 yards and one touchdown in three games with the Raiders this season. He has tallied 221 receptions for 2,869 yards and 23 scores in 37 starts across his two-plus seasons with Las Vegas.

The three-time All-Pro has compiled 890 catches for 10,990 yards and 96 touchdowns over his 11 NFL seasons. Adams’ six Pro Bowl appearances came consecutively from 2017 to 2022.

The Raiders (2-3) host the Steelers (3-2) on Sunday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce reacts in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NCAA penalizes Raiders coach Antonio Pierce over ASU violations

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The NCAA slapped Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce with a significant penalty that will take effect should he ever return to college coaching.

The Division I Committee on Infractions announced Thursday that Pierce received an eight-year show-cause order for his role in recruiting violations when he served as associate head coach on the staff of former Sun Devils coach Herm Edwards.

The committee said Pierce and former noncoaching staff member Anthony Garnett “participated in a program wide effort to engage in impermissible recruiting activities during the COVID-19 dead period.”

As a result, should Pierce ever be hired by an NCAA school, he will be suspended for the first year. Garnett received a five-year show-cause order and a one-year suspension.

Earlier this year, four other members of the Arizona State staff agreed to penalties for violating the dead period, but Pierce and Garnett contested.

The NCAA laid out a series of events that were part of what it termed as a recruiting “scheme.” Pierce, other football staff members and a booster orchestrated unofficial — and impermissible — visits to Tempe, Ariz., for recruits and their families during a time in which in-person recruiting was on pause due to the pandemic.

The NCAA said the committee’s investigation found that Pierce “ran the show” and some members of the coaching staff feared they would be fired if they didn’t follow his orders.

Pierce, 45, was an assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator for the Sun Devils from 2017-21. He resigned prior to the 2022 season and was hired as the linebackers coach of the Raiders.

Pierce took over as interim head coach in Las Vegas on Oct. 31, 2023, when Josh McDaniels was fired. The team named him the permanent head coach in January.

–Field Level Media

Sep 29, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams (17) walks the sideline before the start of a game between the Raiders and the Cleveland Browns at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Raiders WR Davante Adams coy about health, trade talks

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Raiders star wide receiver Davante Adams says he hasn’t spoken to Antonio Pierce since the Las Vegas head coach apparently liked a social media post suggesting Adams be traded.

A verified account linked to Pierce liked an Instagram post Monday by Sports Illustrated stating, “Davante Adams is likely to be gone if the Raiders get what they want in a trade.”

“I haven’t heard from him. I haven’t talked to him,” Adams said Tuesday on the “Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams,” when asked if he’d spoken to Pierce since then.

Adams didn’t offer a lot of details about the recent social media stir or the hamstring injury that kept him out of Sunday’s 20-16 win over the Cleveland Browns, but acknowledged, “… Social media is a beast so it’s a lot of people out there that saw it and wondering what’s going on and reaching out.”

When pressed further about the chatter that his time with the Raiders (2-2) is already done, Adams said, “All I can control is this talk we’re having right here, and after we’re done with this all I can control is the next thing that I’m on to.”

Monday’s social media incident comes on the heels of a Week 3 comment by Pierce that some interpreted as a knock against Adams. After an embarrassing 36-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers, Pierce told reporters, “There were definitely some individuals that made business decisions, and we’ll make business decisions going forward as well.”

After initially standing by those comments, Pierce apologized after Sunday’s win, telling reporters, “There was a lot of hoopla and stuff. Probably started with me, with my comments, and I apologize for that. Don’t want to be a distraction that way.”

Adams, 31, is under contract through the 2026 season. He said before the 2024 NFL Draft that he had no desire to be traded by the Raiders and that Las Vegas “is where I want to be,” and the Raiders reportedly turned away multiple offers for Adams over the summer.

Yet rumors of a trade persist, with the Las Vegas Review-Journal reporting Tuesday that the Raiders are “growing open to the idea of trading” Adams.

“It gets annoying for sure but I’m one of those players that people like to talk about, one way or the other,” Adams said. “Thank God that he blessed me with the ability to just focus in on what I need to focus in on and not get sidetracked by any of the outside noise.”

Adams is reportedly week-to-week with the hamstring injury suffered in last Thursday’s practice.

He started the first three games this season and has 18 receptions for 209 yards and one touchdown.

A six-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time first-team All-Pro, Adams has started all 37 games he has played with the Raiders, beginning in 2022 when he led the NFL with 14 touchdown catches.

Adams has 890 career receptions for 10,990 yards and 96 touchdowns in 153 regular-season games (146 starts) for the Green Bay Packers (2014-21) and Raiders.

He also has 72 catches for 910 yards and eight TDs in 11 playoff games, all with the Packers.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce walks the field before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Raiders’ Pierce stands by ‘business decision’ comment; QB change possible

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On Monday, Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce did not back away from comments he made about certain unnamed members of his team following Sunday’s 36-22 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Upset with the Raiders’ showing against the previously winless Panthers, Pierce was asked how concerned he was about his team’s effort in a game Las Vegas trailed by as many as 26 points.

“I don’t think it was the team. I think there was definitely some individuals that made business decisions,” Pierce said, “and we’ll make business decisions going forward as well.”

Come Monday’s day-after press conference, Pierce was asked about that particular remark and doubled down, saying, “I don’t bite my tongue.”

It tracked for the straight-talking 45-year-old, a former NFL linebacker selected to the 2006 Pro Bowl. Players gave Pierce a ringing endorsement for the Raiders’ head-coaching position after he guided them to a 5-4 finish as the interim coach following the midseason firing of Josh McDaniels in 2023.

Pierce told reporters he would address the team later on Monday and be “very direct.”

“Because it is what it is,” Pierce said, “and that’s what we’re gonna do, call a spade a spade.”

So far, the Raiders’ “business decisions” have not included a change at QB1.

Pierce didn’t rule out benching Gardner Minshew for Aidan O’Connell, merely saying he had to “get with the players and evaluate everything from (Sunday) first.”

Minshew completed 18 of 28 passes for 214 yards, one touchdown and one interception before O’Connell took over. O’Connell, who started 10 games for the Raiders last season, went 9-of-12 passing for 82 yards and a touchdown.

The Raiders’ issues appeared to be far deeper than the signal-caller. The offense gained just 55 rushing yards on 16 attempts, and the defense was gashed by Andy Dalton in his first start for the Panthers following Bryce Young’s benching.

“The effort wasn’t up to par as it had been in the previous games, and that showed up,” Pierce said. “That didn’t look good at the end of the game.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 13, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco watches during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Raiders hiring Tom Telesco as GM

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tom Telesco is staying in the AFC West Division, as the Las Vegas Raiders are preparing to hire the longtime Chargers general manager to the same position, NFL Network and ESPN reported Tuesday.

Telesco, 51, led the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers’ front office from 2013-23 before the franchise dismissed both him and coach Brandon Staley after a disastrous 63-21 loss in Week 15 — to the rival Raiders.

During Telesco’s tenure as GM, the Chargers made the playoffs just three times in 11 seasons and never got past the divisional round, despite working with quarterbacks Philip Rivers and Justin Herbert. The Chargers went 84-92 during his tenure.

The Raiders finished the 2023 season 8-9, three games better than the Chargers (who lost Herbert to a Week 14 injury). Before hiring Telesco, they installed interim coach Antonio Pierce as their full-time boss after Pierce took over midseason for Josh McDaniels.

Telesco replaces David Ziegler, who was fired in November along with McDaniels.

–Field Level Media