Tag: Antonio Pierce

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

Dec 25, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce on field against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Not leaving Las Vegas: Raiders hiring Antonio Pierce as head coach

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Interim head coach Antonio Pierce isn’t leaving Las Vegas just yet.

The Raiders are reportedly in agreement with Pierce to make him the 23rd head coach in franchise history following a trial run as Josh McDaniels’ in-season replacement. According to multiple reports, a four- or five-year deal between Pierce and the Raiders is expected to be formally announced as soon as Friday night.

Pierce was 5-4 and the Raiders finished with a record of 8-9, tied for their second-best win total since relocating to Las Vegas in 2020. The Raiders were 10-7 in 2021, but interim head coach Rich Bisaccia, who replaced Jon Gruden, wasn’t retained. McDaniels was hired in advance of the 2022 season.

Pierce wasn’t exactly holding a dominant hand most of the season.

The Raiders switched quarterbacks, elevating untested Aidan O’Connell over Jimmy Garoppolo, and players instantly responded to Pierce with a 30-6 win over the New York Giants.

Three of Pierce’s four losses as interim coach were by one possession, including a 23-20 loss at Indianapolis in Week 17 and a 3-0 home defeat against the Vikings.

Players endorsed Pierce as the fulltime coach when the season ended, and the Tennessee Titans interviewed him for their opening after firing Mike Vrabel.

Defensive end Maxx Crosby said he would look into trade options if the Raiders didn’t keep Pierce, who also had the vote of former All-Pro Davante Adams.

“That’s my vote,” Adams said. “I’ve been vocal about that, and that’s basically how the whole locker room feels with good reason. He’s come in and done a great job and it’s continued to win us over. It’s not just the comfortable thing, I think having AP here would be good for this organization.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 26, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce watches from the sidelines against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 23-6. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Antonio Pierce, Raiders look to right ship in clash vs. Giants

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Las Vegas Raiders didn’t wait until the end of the season to cast blame. They did it in Week 9.

Coach Josh McDaniels and general manager David Ziegler were dismissed Tuesday night. Antonio Pierce will serve as interim coach when the Raiders host the New York Giants on Sunday.

Las Vegas (3-5) lost 26-14 to the Detroit Lions on Monday and only gained 157 yards of total offense. The second consecutive poor performance — the Raiders were routed 30-12 by the Chicago Bears a week earlier — showed owner Mark Davis that continuing with the current coach/GM tandem was not a good idea.

Pierce was promoted from linebackers coach, assistant general manager Champ Kelly was elevated to interim GM, and the Raiders made a change at offensive coordinator. Soon after, Pierce declared rookie Aidan O’Connell will replace veteran Jimmy Garoppolo as the starting quarterback when the Raiders face New York (2-6).

“We just feel like it gives us the best chance,” Pierce said of O’Connell during his introductory press conference on Wednesday. It will be O’Connell’s second start and third appearance of the season.

Meanwhile, Pierce was clear about another thing.

“We’re tired of losing,” Pierce said. “It’s not a good feeling. We’re a production-based business.”

McDaniels went 9-16 in 1 1/2 seasons as coach and his offense floundered big-time this season.

Las Vegas’ season high for points is 21, and Garoppolo leads the NFL with nine interceptions. He has passed for 1,205 yards and seven touchdowns.

The Raiders rank 30th in scoring offense (15.8 points per game) and 31st in total offense (268.3 yards per game) despite having star players such as running back Josh Jacobs and receiver Davante Adams on the roster.

Ironically, the Giants own the worst offense in the league and rank last in scoring (11.9), last in total offense (267.9) and last in passing offense (155.1).

Also of note is that Pierce is making his head coaching debut against the Giants. He played nine NFL seasons, and the last five were with New York (2005-09). He was a member of the squad that upset the undefeated New England Patriots in the Super Bowl following the 2007 regular season.

“How about that? Couldn’t write it up,” Pierce said. “But it’s not Antonio Pierce versus the New York Giants. It’s the Las Vegas Raiders versus the Giants. … Doesn’t matter what or who Antonio Pierce played for.”

Barring a setback, the Giants will have quarterback Daniel Jones back after a three-game absence due to a neck injury. He was a full practice participant on Wednesday.

“I feel good. I feel recovered,” Jones said. “I’ve had a few weeks here not playing, so I used that to stay in shape.”

The Giants will be glad to see Jones on the field. In last week’s 13-10 overtime loss to the New York Jets, the club set a dubious franchise record with minus-9 net passing yards.

“He’s been out here throwing so he’ll have his full workload this week,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said of Jones.

Tyrod Taylor started for the Giants against the Jets and injured his ribs midway through the second quarter. Rookie Tommy DeVito entered and was called on to throw the ball just seven times, completing two for minus-1 yard.

DeVito is slated to back up Jones this week with Taylor out. Matt Barkley was signed to the practice squad as insurance.

The Giants also dealt defensive end Leonard Williams to the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday for two draft choices.

New York will be without tight end Darren Waller (hamstring), who was acquired in the offseason from the Raiders, his employers the previous five seasons. Running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) and outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (back) were among the limited practice participants.

Five Raiders didn’t practice — linebackers Divine Deablo (ankle), Luke Masterson (concussion) and Robert Spillane (hand), fullback Jakob Johnson (concussion) and offensive tackle Thayer Munford (neck).

–Field Level Media

Aug 26, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders linebackers coach Antonio Pierce watches from the sidelines against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 23-6. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders promote Antonio Pierce to interim head coach

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Las Vegas Raiders promoted linebackers coach Antonio Pierce to interim head coach following Tuesday’s firing of head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager David Ziegler.

Pierce, 45, is in his second season with the Raiders after working as an associate head coach, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Arizona State from 2018-21.

He played linebacker in the NFL for nine seasons with Washington (2001-04) and the New York Giants (2005-09), making the Pro Bowl in 2006, helping the Giants win Super Bowl XLII and retiring with 691 tackles, nine sacks and seven interceptions in 124 games (94 starts).

“The Las Vegas Raiders are committed to undergo a comprehensive search for a head coach once the season is complete,” the team said in a statement.

Pierce will make his coaching debut against one of his former teams when the Raiders (3-5) host the Giants (2-6) on Sunday.

The Raiders also reportedly parted with offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi on Wednesday. Las Vegas has not yet scored more than 19 points in a game this season. Lombardi and McDaniels were responsible for play-calling.

NFL Network reported that the Raiders are promoting quarterbacks coach Bo Hardegree to replace Lombardi.

Multiple reports indicated that Sunday’s game could also see rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell take over for the erratic Jimmy Garoppolo.

O’Connell, 25, a fourth-round pick out of Purdue, started the Raiders’ Week 4 road loss to the Los Angeles Chargers when Garoppolo was out with a concussion. In Week 7, O’Connell relieved starter Brian Hoyer in a road loss to the Chicago Bears when Garoppolo was sidelined by a back injury.

O’Connell has completed 34 of 52 passes for 313 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in two games. He has been sacked seven times and has one rushing touchdown.

Garoppolo, who turns 32 on Thursday, signed a three-year $72.75 million contract ($34 million guaranteed) in March to replace Derek Carr as the Raiders’ franchise quarterback.

Garoppolo has thrown an NFL-high nine interceptions in six starts this season, completing 65.5 percent of his passes for 1,205 yards and seven touchdowns.

McDaniels, 47, was midway through his second season on the job, having signed a six-year deal in January 2022. The Raiders went 6-11 last year. This season, their three wins have come against opponents that currently have losing records Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots).

Las Vegas lost 26-14 to the host Detroit Lions on Monday night.

Ziegler, 46, also was in his second year in his role.

Both McDaniels and Ziegler came to Las Vegas from the Patriots.

McDaniels was an assistant coach at New England from 2001-08 before an unsuccessful stint as the Broncos’ head coach (8-8 in 2009, 3-9 when he was fired in 2010). He spent the 2011 season as the St. Louis Rams’ offensive coordinator, then returned to work under Bill Belichick as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator from 2012 to 2021.

Ziegler worked in the New England front office from 2013-21, including stints as director of pro personnel and director of player personnel.

–Field Level Media