Tag: McDaniels

Oct 30, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels checks his play sheet on the sidelines during the fourth quarter of their game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders fire coach Josh McDaniels, GM David Ziegler

Posted on | by Field Level Media

One night after an ugly defeat dropped their record to 3-5, the Las Vegas Raiders fired head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager David Ziegler on Tuesday.

The team made the announcement in a late-night posting on its website and social media.

Club owner Mark Davis said in a statement, “After much thought about what the Raiders need to move forward, I have decided to part ways with Josh and Dave. I want to thank them both for their hard work and wish them and their families nothing but the best.”

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 (the 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 to 2008 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 to 2021, including stints as director of pro personnel and director of player personnel.

According to ESPN, linebackers coach Antonio Pierce will serve as the Raiders’ interim head coach. Pierce, 45, joined the club when McDaniels and Ziegler arrived. He was a Super Bowl-winning linebacker during his playing career with the New York Giants.

–Field Level Media

Sep 10, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders’ Josh McDaniels new favorite to be first coach fired

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Josh McDaniels is back on the hottest coaching seat in the NFL, at least according to oddsmakers.

The co-favorite before the season by SportsBetting.ag to be the first coach fired, McDaniels earned a reprieve when Las Vegas opened the season with a victory at Denver. However, that victory lost some of its luster due to the Broncos’ ongoing struggles while the Raiders have dropped their past two games.

Three weeks into the season, McDaniels is again the book’s favorite to be the first coach fired at +200.

Just behind him is Matt Eberflus at +225 with Chicago off to an 0-3 start and coming off a blowout loss to Kansas City. A loss at home this weekend to fellow 0-3 Denver would only ratchet the heat up further on Eberflus, who is a combined 3-17 in his second season in the Windy City.

The third-shortest odds belong to Washington’s Ron Rivera at +300. Despite a 2-1 start, the Commanders are coming off an uncompetitive loss at home to Buffalo and the new ownership group has made it clear that Rivera’s fate rests solely on wins and losses. Following a tough trip to Philadelphia in Week 4, Washington plays the Bears at home on a short week before traveling to Atlanta and the New York Giants.

Brandon Staley, who had the shortest odds last week, saw those lengthen to +1100 with the Chargers getting their first win of the season at Minnesota. Conversely, that game also shot the Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell up to +1000 with Minnesota off to an 0-3 start.

FIRST NFL COACH FIRED ODDS
Josh McDaniels (+200)
Matt Eberflus (+225)
Ron Rivera (+300)
Kevin O’Connell (+1000)
Brandon Staley (+1100)
Robert Saleh (+1200)
Sean Payton (+2500)
Todd Bowles (+2500)
Mike Vrabel (+2800)
Dennis Allen (+3300)
Mike McCarthy (+3300)
Frank Reich (+5000)
Kevin Stefanski (+5000)
Mike Tomlin (+7500)
Pete Carroll (+7500)
Arthur Smith (+10000)
Bill Belichick (+10000)
Brian Daboll (+10000)
Doug Pederson (+10000)
Jonathan Gannon (+10000)
Matt Lafleur (+10000)
Nick Sirianni (+10000)
Sean McDermott (+10000)
Sean McVay (+10000)
Shane Steichen (+10000)
Zac Taylor (+10000)
DeMeco Ryans (+15000)
John Harbaugh (+15000)
Dan Campbell (+20000)
Mike McDaniel (+50000)
Andy Reid (+100000)
Kyle Shanahan (+100000)

–Field Level Media

Aug 19, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy stands on the sideline during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

First NFL coach fired? Mike McCarthy, Josh McDaniels among co-favorites

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Dallas Cowboys are nipping at the heels of the Philadelphia Eagles and are considered a potential threat to win the NFC Championship by many oddsmakers.

That’s also the reason Mike McCarthy will open the 2023 season on one of the hottest coaching seats in the NFL.

McCarthy has posted a 30-20 regular-season record through his first three seasons in Dallas. During that time, the Cowboys are also 1-2 in the postseason.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been notoriously patient with his coaches — Jason Garrett’s 10-year run on Dallas’ sideline ahead of McCarthy’s arrival being the prime example. However, former Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is a ready-made replacement should the Cowboys stumble out of the gate and Jones decides to make a move.

McCarthy has been installed as one of the three “favorites” to be the first NFL coach fired this season. He is being offered at +600 by SportsBetting.ag along with Las Vegas’ Josh McDaniels and Tampa Bay’s Todd Bowles.

FIRST NFL COACH FIRED ODDS
Mike McCarthy, Cowboys (+600)
Josh McDaniels, Raiders (+600)
Todd Bowles, Buccaneers (+600)
Ron Rivera, Commanders (+700)
Dennis Allen, Saints (+900)
Kevin Stefanski, Browns (+900)
Matt Eberflus, Bears (+1400)
Mike Vrabel, Titans (+1400)
Arthur Smith, Falcons (+1600)
Brandon Staley, Chargers (+1600)
Matt LaFleur, Packers (+1600)
Sean McVay, Rams (+1600)
Kevin O’Connell, Vikings (+2200)
Dan Campbell, Lions (+2500)
John Harbaugh, Ravens (+2800)
Mike Tomlin, Steelers (+3300)
Robert Saleh, Jets (+3300)
Jonathan Gannon, Cardinals (+4000)
Mike McDaniel, Dolphins (+5000)
Pete Carroll, Seahawks (+5000)
Doug Pederson, Jaguars (+6600)
Frank Reich, Panthers (+6600)
Sean McDermott, Bills (+6600)
Shane Steichen, Colts (+6600)
DeMeco Ryans, Texans (+7500)
Bill Belichick, Patriots (+10000)
Brian Daboll, Giants (+10000)
Kyle Shanahan, 49ers (+10000)
Nick Sirianni, Eagles (+10000)
Sean Payton, Broncos (+10000)
Zac Taylor, Bengals (+10000)
Andy Reid, Chiefs (+25000)

McDaniels is entering just his second season in Las Vegas, but the pressure has already mounted following a disappointing 6-11 record in 2022. The Raiders moved on from quarterback Derek Carr, and McDaniels has put his eggs into the basket of oft-injured Jimmy Garoppolo, with whom he worked in New England from 2014-26.

Bowles also finds himself at the mercy of a murky quarterback situation. After Tom Brady’s retirement, the Bucs signed former No. 1 pick Baker Mayfield, who won a training camp battle over Kyle Trask.

Tampa Bay plays in a lackluster division that includes New Orleans, Atlanta and Carolina — three more teams that will begin the season with new starting quarterbacks. But the Bucs are expected to finish last in the NFC South by most books.

Another coach who could be on a short leash is Washington’s Ron Rivera, who has two years remaining on his current contract. The Commanders are coming off a solid 8-8-1 season but are in a very deep division and the team’s new ownership could choose to go in a different direction if the Commanders start poorly under first-year starting quarterback Sam Howell.

Rivera brought in a new offensive coordinator in Eric Bieniemy, and said a contract extension is part of talks he has had with new owner Josh Harris.

“They’ve gone well and they stand in a good situation,” Rivera said recently of his conversations with Harris. “Those are all things that are all part of our discussion. And again, these are things that we talk about, we’re working into.

“There’s a lot to do and to assume anything’s going to happen immediately is unfair because they are still learning and understanding us, and we’re still talking with them and trying to get things lined up and in order.”

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2023; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) runs the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders coach Josh McDaniels respects Josh Jacobs’ holdout

Posted on | by Field Level Media

With star running back Josh Jacobs in the early stages of his holdout, Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels said he respects the decision of the NFL rushing champion not to report to training camp.

Jacobs and the Raiders were unable to reach an agreement on a long-term contract before last week’s deadline for franchise-tagged players. He then decided not to sign his $10.091 million franchise tender for the 2023 season.

“Obviously I can’t speak for anything that happened in the meeting,” McDaniels said regarding negotiations between Jacobs’ agent and the team. “Obviously I wasn’t privy to any of that. But, look, I respect every player’s right to do what’s right for them. That’s why the league is what it is in terms of value and contracts. And those things are personal. We all have to go through them.

“I’ve said it multiple times this spring, I respect him tremendously. I have a great deal of respect for him as a player and a person. What he did for our team last year — and I look forward to seeing him whenever he is here. And I respect that process too. It’s his decision to make. They all have to do what they think is best for them.”

Jacobs compiled 1,653 rushing yards on 340 touches (4.9 yards per attempt) and 12 touchdowns while starting all 17 games last season. He added 400 receiving yards to lead the league with 2,053 total yards from scrimmage.

Jacobs, 25, was a first-team All-Pro and received his second Pro Bowl nod.

That’s a lot of production not in training camp, and McDaniels said he is fine with waiting for the process to play itself out.

“I respect his decision to ultimately not sign a deal at that point,” McDaniels said. “So, right now, I mean, it is what it is. There hasn’t been much since the deadline. Certain things can change, we know that, but certainly that’s a lot of his decision. And whatever he chooses to do that’s his choice. I look forward to seeing him when we see him.”

If Jacobs accepted the tender, he would make the ninth-most money among the 2023 Raiders.

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley was upset with his situation, as well, but relented Tuesday and signed a one-year deal with incentives that could be worth $11 million.

McDaniels was asked if the Barkley deal might sway Jacobs.

“I don’t know all the details,” McDaniels said of Barkley’s signing. “I was here doing a bunch of stuff so I’m not exactly sure of the ins and outs on that. But anything can certainly change in that regard.”

In 60 games (59 starts) since the Raiders selected him in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Alabama, Jacobs has rushed for 4,740 yards and 40 touchdowns.

Without Jacobs, the Las Vegas ball-carriers include journeymen Ameer Abdullah and Brandon Bolden.

McDaniels also touched on team’s addition of cornerback Marcus Peters, a three-time Pro Bowler who has played for three other teams.

“It’s an exciting opportunity,” McDaniels said. “Marcus has been a very decorated player for the entirety of his career for the teams that he’s played for. I’ve coached against him a number of times and when you’re playing against him, always know where he’s at because there’s a chance you might not want to throw at him.

–Field Level Media

Oct 2, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz (left) talks with offensive coordinator Scott Turner (right) before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Raiders hire Scott Turner as passing-game assistant

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Las Vegas Raiders have hired Scott Turner as an assistant coach in charge of the passing game, several reports said Friday.

Turner, 40, spent the past three seasons as the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator before his dismissal Jan. 10.

Turner’s father, longtime NFL coach Norv Turner, spent two seasons as the head coach of the then-Oakland Raiders in 2004-05. Scott Turner also attended college in Las Vegas at UNLV, where he was a backup quarterback.

In Las Vegas, it’s unclear who Turner’s starting quarterback will be, as the Raiders are widely believed to be ready to move on from veteran Derek Carr via trade or release.

Josh McDaniels is returning for a second season as the Raiders’ head coach, alongside offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi. Las Vegas went 6-11 in 2022.

The Commanders’ offense in 2022 ranked 20th in total yardage (330.3 yards per game) and 24th in scoring (18.9 points per game) under Turner.

–Field Level Media

Jul 30, 2021; Foxborough, MA, United States; New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels reacts during training camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders officially hire Josh McDaniels as head coach

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Josh McDaniels is a head coach again after the Las Vegas Raiders officially hired him Monday.

The Raiders also introduced their new general manager, Dave Ziegler, in the same Monday press conference.

McDaniels, 45, was in charge of the Denver Broncos for parts of two seasons, compiling an 8-8 record in 2009 and getting fired after the team started 3-9 the following year.

He built his reputation as the offensive coordinator for six Super Bowl championships, as he worked on the staff of head coach Bill Belichick from 2001-08 and again from 2012-21. He also was the offensive coordinator of the then-St. Louis Rams in 2011.

“I’ve been patient, I’ve been selective, maybe to a fault sometimes,” McDaniels said Monday. “It was going to take a special place for me to really leave where I was, and I found that here in Las Vegas.”

He added, “The last 10 to 12 years I’ve really had an opportunity to grow as a person, as a coach, as a man and try to figure out — after my experiences in Denver and St. Louis — who I am, how I wanted to be defined in my career, what I wanted to represent and how I would lead the next time if I got another opportunity to be a head coach.

“It’s crystallized for me. I’m clear in the vision that I have for this role for this job, for this team and I’m going to be myself. I think that’s really important for me and our organization going forward.”

In 2018, he accepted — and then backed out of — the job as head coach of the Colts. Sports Illustrated later reported that it wasn’t because the Patriots put a deal in place to make him the heir apparent to Bill Belichick, as was rumored, but instead over concerns about the football operations chain of command in Indianapolis.

Ziegler, 44, also comes from the Patriots, where he served in the front office since 2013 and was the director of player personnel last year.

“Obviously, Josh and I are tied in many ways in our vision of how to build a team and our vision of what we want, in terms of the players we bring into the building is very connected,” Ziegler said. “But at the end of the day, when it’s time to make decisions of all personnel, while we’ll work together, those final decisions will be made by me.”

McDaniels added that he was looking forward to working with Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who is entering the final year of his contract.

“There’s no question we have the capacity and capability of winning with Derek here,” McDaniels said. “We all know that.”

McDaniels takes over for interim coach Rich Bisaccia, who guided the team to a 7-5 record and a postseason berth. The previous head coach, Jon Gruden, was fired in October after he was found to have sent inflammatory emails.

The Raiders fired GM Mike Mayock following their playoff defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals.

–Field Level Media

Aug 19, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders hire Dave Ziegler as GM; Josh McDaniels reportedly next coach

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Las Vegas Raiders hired Dave Ziegler as their general manager and reportedly are close to hiring Josh McDaniels as head coach, both from the New England Patriots.

The Raiders announced Ziegler’s appointment on Sunday, and multiple outlets reported McDaniels, the Patriots’ longtime offensive coordinator and a former Denver Broncos head coach, would be joining him.

Ziegler, 44, had been with New England since 2013 and spent the 2021 season as the director of player personnel. He replaces Mike Mayock, who was fired after the Raiders’ 26-19 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC wild-card round.

Ziegler spent three seasons in the Broncos’ scouting department before joining the Patriots. He worked for three seasons as New England’s assistant director of pro scouting, four seasons as director of pro personnel and one as the assistant director of player personnel before being promoted to director of player personnel for 2021.

McDaniels, 45, would replace Jon Gruden, who resigned in October after being linked to offensive emails. Interim coach Rich Bisaccia led the team to a 7-5 record the rest of the season and a playoff berth.

McDaniels led the Denver Broncos to an 11-17 record before being fired after Week 13 in his second season on the job in 2010.

He spent the following season as the offensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams, then returned to the same role with the Patriots, which he previously held from 2006-08.

In early 2018, McDaniels accepted — and then backed out of — the job as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

–Field Level Media

Aug 19, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Texans expected to fire head coach David Culley

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David Culley is expected to be fired by the Houston Texans, FOX Sports reported Sunday.

General manager Nick Caserio didn’t directly answer questions about Culley’s status last week. When pressed about whether Culley could return, Caserio said all personnel decisions would be made in the offseason.

FOX reported New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, a longtime co-worker of Caserio with the Patriots, is the top candidate in Houston.

Culley is in his first season as a head coach and was hired during a tumultuous offseason by the Texans. He previously served as wide receivers coach under John Harbaugh with the Baltimore Ravens.

The 66-year-old Culley had never been a head coach at the college or professional levels during a coaching career that began in 1978.

Culley was the oldest coach in NFL history at the time of his debut, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Bud Wilkinson (62 years, 133 days) had held that distinction from his 29-game stint with the then-St. Louis Cardinals in 1978-79.

The Texans’ decision to tab Culley as head coach in January came under extra scrutiny because franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson had made known his unhappiness regarding player and front-office moves in the past few seasons. Watson reportedly was upset that the Texans said he could have input into offseason decisions, but the team didn’t follow through.

With Watson under investigation by police in Houston and the subject of civil lawsuits by 22 women following allegations of sexual misconduct, the quarterback was inactive for all 17 games this season. NFL Network reported Sunday that the Texans want to trade Watson before the 2022 league year begins on March 16.

–Field Level Media