Mark Davis and the Las Vegas Raiders shocked the world at 10:00pm PT on All Hallows’ Eve with a news report across the “X” platform. Both head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler were relieved of duties, effective immediately. Now, the Antonio Pierce-era begins.
Give Raiders owner Mark Davis his proper respect for recognizing what needed to be done
It took exactly 25 games, nine wins and 16 losses, before Davis had seen enough. Trying to reconstruct the ‘Patriot Way’ in Las Vegas looked like a strong idea on paper. In reality, it was ruining his football team. Today, Mr. Davis gets his flowers for stepping up and putting a merciful end to the failed experiment: Firing general manager Dave Ziegler, head coach Josh McDaniels, and offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi.
Davis has taken a lot of sh** over the years while being co-owner and managing partner of the Raiders organization. Raider fans have gotten more boldly aggressive with their disapproval of how the franchise was being run, often screaming in his face at close distances while pointing out exactly how badly things were going, and what he should do. At one point he inadvertently started the #smartenup trend trying to defend the indefensible.
Winning back-to-back WNBA championships with the Las Vegas Aces has provided Davis with what it feels like to win. Mediocrity is no longer acceptable to him, so he began cleaning house. In their places, Davis made some very astute choices in Champ Kelly and Antonio Pierce.
When you think of Coach AP, know he’s about this
“We’re about competition, being competitive and playing with an edge and a swag and a certain confidence that when we walk out that damn tunnel, that everybody watching TV can see it.” – Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce
Being a Raider means something to freshly minted interim head coach Antonio Pierce. He turned down other opportunities to join the league while being the defensive coordinator at Arizona State University. When Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler approached him about joining the Raiders coaching staff, he jumped at the opportunity.
Pierce is from Compton, CA, and grew up listening to NWA. In fact, the Raiders new [interim] head coach opened practice on Wednesday with the song ‘Straight Outta Compton’. Pierce was born into Raider Nation at an early age, rocking Raider hats while watching games at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
Yeah, new #Raiders interim coach Antonio Pierce really DID grow up with NWA and Straight Outta Compton. @realmcren @icecube @drdre @DJYellaNWA pic.twitter.com/FxFGAzA2oO
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) November 2, 2023
Pressure busts pipes, but it also makes diamonds – and make no mistake, there is plenty of pressure on the Raiders. Conceivably, Las Vegas could split up seven wins and roughly two losses over the course of the next nine games, giving themselves an opportunity to make the playoffs. Improbable as that might be, something similar happened in 2021. But no matter what, the Raiders are going to have fun doing it.
Who is Coach AP?
‘AP’ has been an NFL Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion. Pierce was a member of the 2007 Giants that prevented the undefeated New England Patriots, and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, from finishing the year with only the second perfect season in National Football League history. There isn’t a man who knows AP that doesn’t respect him.
Pierce has been with the McDaniels, Ziegler regime since the beginning. Linebacker coach was his title, but he frequented every position group. He made an impact on each and every player and earned their respect as a leader. As a former player, he possesses in intricate knowledge of the issues, challenges, and processes they undertake, having experienced everything his players may go through.
AP is a leader of men; one who made history by denying history from being made. He challenged himself to match the energy level of Maxx Crosby – whatever he has said to his players has them ready to run through walls for him. Just ask Davante Adams.
#Raiders WR Davante Adams on his new head coach Antonio Pierce:
“I'm ready to run through a wall for that man. It's a good feeling.”
The VIBE in Vegas is turning for the best it seems ?
(Via @FresnoBee) pic.twitter.com/2Inw5x4VrK
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) November 2, 2023
*Top Photo: Darrell Craig Harris, Raiders Today