The Las Vegas Raiders ripped the band-aid off late Tuesday night with the firing of head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler. Assistant Antonio Pierce has been named the interim head coach for the remainder of the 2023 campaign. But odds are, Mark Davis will make a bigger splash in the offseason. Who could be on his radar?
Let’s begin with a few “ideal” targets before branching out into potentially less flashy hires. Up first is a man who is no stranger to the NFL.
Jim Harbaugh Has The Pedigree To Turn The Raiders Around
Last week, here at the Raider Ramble, we penned a piece about Josh McDaniels and Jim Harbaugh. The idea: Fire McDaniels and back up the Brinks truck for Harbaugh. There are a couple of snags to a potential deal, including Harbaugh’s willingness to leave Michigan and Mark Davis’ willingness to shell out another massive contract at head coach.
Perhaps the Jon Gruden and Josh McDaniels missteps will cause Davis to pivot elsewhere. But, in my opinion, Harbaugh is the exact head coach the Raiders need. He boasts a sparkling 44-19-1 record in the NFL, with a Super Bowl trip under his belt. The 59-year-old commands respect throughout the locker room and would bring a level of accountability that McDaniels has never shown.
Harbaugh is the perfect option for the Silver and Black this offseason — if the franchise can pry him away from Ann Arbor. The ongoing investigation into the Wolverines football program could be the driving force behind an eventual departure for Harbaugh.
What if the Harbaugh move falls through?
Another intriguing name to monitor is Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. After interviewing for head coaching gigs last offseason, it’s all but guaranteed that Johnson will leave Motor City sooner than later. Would he consider making the move out West?
Think about it from an offensive play-caller’s perspective. With All-Pro talents like Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs in tow, plus plenty of draft capital to find a quarterback of the future, it’s hard to find a better landing spot for any prospective head coach.
Sure, there’s a chance Jacobs leaves in free agency. Maybe Adams decides he wants a fresh start and formally demands a trade? As of right now, they both are still rostered and would be key selling points to any oncoming hire. Look at what Johnson has been able to do with Jared Goff; there’s a path to competitive play, even if Caleb Williams and Drake Maye are out of reach.
Eric Bieniemy Could Be A Top Option To Replace Josh McDaniels
Another exciting name is Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. He spent several years as the protege to Andy Reid in Kansas City before embarking on his own journey in the Nation’s capital. Since taking the reins of the Commanders offense, second-year signal-caller Sam Howell has grown in leaps and bounds.
There’s a chance Washington elevates Bieniemy to head coach if Ron Rivera is relieved of his duties at the season’s end. But until that time comes, “EB” remains firmly on the radar for the Raiders.
What if Vegas opts for a defensive-minded head coach after failing with two offensive specialists?
Current defensive coordinator Patrick Graham makes sense. His unit has played deceptively well in 2023, even if the numbers don’t always indicate it. Graham’s group has dealt with the worst quarterback play in the league, leading to an offense that struggled to eclipse 16 points on any given Sunday.
If the players have a say in the hire, expect Graham to be a popular choice. Unfortunately, those in the locker room usually have no bearing on a head coaching hire — just look at the Rich Bisaccia tenure. The Raiders choosing Antonio Pierce, one of Graham’s assistants, as the interim head coach looks damning to Graham’s chances of seizing the top spot.
Speaking of Pierce, it is worth mentioning his name among long-term replacements. It is unlikely, but if the Raiders can go on a 2021-type run, perhaps Mark Davis views Pierce as the redemption for not extending Bisaccia.
Dan Quinn Is A Name To Watch For The Raiders
An outside voice that has garnered interest around the league in the past few hiring cycles is Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Quinn, like Harbaugh, has taken a team to the Super Bowl before — even holding a double-digit fourth-quarter lead in said game.
Alas, the Falcons famously collapsed against the New England Patriots, leaving Quinn as the scapegoat a few seasons later. Since being let go by Atlanta, the long-time defensive coach has transformed the Dallas unit into a juggernaut. Guys like Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs have witnessed remarkable growth under Quinn.
With the weapons already present on the Raiders’ defense, the head coaching vacancy might be the perfect situation for Quinn. Young, offensive-minded head coaches are the wave in the new-age NFL, but there’s still room for a defensive head coach to win. It would just require the correct hire at offensive coordinator.
So, what do you think, Raider Nation? Are you already zeroing in on potential replacements for Josh McDaniels? Or are you still celebrating the fact that his reign of terror is over? Which of these names do you trust to lead the franchise into the next era of Raiders football?
*Top Photo: Chris Unger/Getty Images