Taking over midseason as an interim head coach is incredibly difficult. Typically a team continues to struggle with all the moving parts, and the coach fails to be retained as a result. However, Las Vegas Raiders [interim] head coach Antonio Pierce is writing his own path.
In fact, things could not have gone better out of the gates for Pierce. A former Super Bowl champion as a player, Pierce is extremely familiar with everything necessary in the process of making history. Mark Davis, the Raiders’ controlling owner, has been on record saying that he will keep an open mind and allow ‘Coach AP’ the opportunity to win the job.
Running Pierce’s Raiders Cred
There are 31 teams, and then there is the Raiders; blessed with the most iconic jerseys in all of the sports and the Bad Boy image. Groundbreaking pioneers of social justice exist at the forefront of equal opportunity.
Coach Pierce was a Raider since birth—a Los Angeles Raider to pinpoint his origin.
Pierce saw the last championship teams the Silver and Black rolled out. He witnessed the last bit of what winning as a Raider looked like. He learned to embody what that meant, and most importantly, he’s brought it back.
Coach AP’s Raiders: throw deep, break off big runs, score points, sack the quarterback, get timely turnovers, blow teams out, win defensive struggles and play together.
Antonio Pierce is different from the type of coach many believe the Raiders need. However, the truth of the matter is, he’s exactly what has been missing. Las Vegas has the talent; they believe in each other, and they are starting to pick up steam at exactly the right time. Why? Because Pierce can look every man in the eye and keep it real.
Checking early boxes
Moving to 2-0 with a 16-12 win over the New York Jets on Sunday Night Football is just another of many feathers in Pierce’s cap. The Raiders are now back to .500–the entire team has not only bought in but are pulling on the same rope and in the same direction. Two weeks ago, this team was dead in the water. Now, they believe and are playing their best football of the season.
Pierce is the ultimate player’s coach in the sense he was a player as recently as 2009. The players on his team remember him and his New York Giants being the team to end Tom Brady’s hopes for a perfect season. He doesn’t have to pretend to be the man; he already has been.
Respect is a two-way street and trust is earned, not given. Being called a player’s coach is usually an insult to the effectiveness of your X’s and O’s. Inversely, a genius-level intricate scheme of mass destruction has no effect if a coach can’t effectively communicate it to his players.
From 28 to 08 – Josh Jacobs has arrived
One would be hard-pressed to find a front office unwilling to lock Josh Jacobs up with a multi-year deal, but the previous Raiders’ regime seemed disinterested in doing exactly that. Jacobs had no input on what type of plays were called, and it showed. The ineptitude of this is staggering and ultimately another indication of how the previous direction was stifling its own stars.
@iAM_JoshJacobs said Antonio Pierce has him thinking for the first time about coming back to the @Raiders next year… pic.twitter.com/Doh11huXZq
— Raiders Beat (@RaidersBeat) November 13, 2023
Josh Jacobs has returned to the dominant force he was when he won the rushing title last season. In the last two games, he has amassed 214 yards and two touchdowns on 53 carries. Most importantly, he feels respected and has begun looking forward to returning next season.
Coach AP has reassured him that not only is he a part of the Raiders’ future, but he is the team’s heartbeat. It would seem that a little trust and faith is all that was required to get Las Vegas’ new 08 back on track.
The pursuit of greatness has chosen AP
“When you’ve got one of the best receivers in the game, I’m not stupid, I know who to get the ball to.” – Antonio Pierce
Davante Adams has stated he, “was ready to run through a wall for that man [Pierce].” Touchdowns have not been forthcoming during this transition period, but his targets have increased. Targeted 20 times in the last two weeks, Adams has caught 10 passes for 120 yards. Granted, he’s been working with a rookie quarterback making his second and third starts to his career.
Good vibes and high spirits have re-entered the world of Davante Adams. No more outbursts—Adams is playing his position and helping contribute to the team’s most recent winning streak. Bo Hardegree, the [interim] offensive coordinator, isn’t using Adams as a decoy. Against the Jets, Hardegree routinely put Adams in a position to get yardage after the catch.
Recognizing the Raiders’ future
Benching James Garoppolo was the smartest decision Antonio Pierce could have made. The change under center instantly gave him a fresh start with his offense. Aidan O’Connell hasn’t been perfect, but what he has done is limit the turnovers and get the ball to the Raiders’ playmakers.
O’Connell has thrown one touchdown pass in his last two starts, to fellow rookie Michael Mayer, but has led the team on multiple scoring drives inside the red zone. The best thing about O’Connell is that he is growing in terms of both experience and confidence game in and out. Giving him a shot to play out the season and see what he’s got is the right move.
Good or bad, it’s obvious that Brian Hoyer and Garoppolo are not the future of the Raiders.
O’Connell may turn into a pumpkin as the season progresses and more teams acquire tape on him. Vice versa, he could be the second coming of Brady. Either way, by putting faith in him, we see how well it pays off for Las Vegas.
If you don’t root for Antonio Pierce, you’re rooting to lose
In any scenario that doesn’t involve Pierce as the head coach and/or the Raiders possessing a high draft pick, a whole lot of losing has to happen. Pierce has done everything you can ask of him in the first two weeks of his 10-week job application.
The players on this team have all rallied around him and are buying into his vision. Pierce knows the importance of starting your own culture and not trying to replicate others. Oozing pure Raiders energy out of his pores [shiny head Suge], Antonio Pierce is bringing back the commitment to excellence.
Everything we’ve ever been taught about what a Raider is, points directly at coach AP. He convinced Davis to give him a chance to win with what he has, the players unanimously selected him and follow him, and most of all, he has that Raider swag. What more do you want? The cherry on top, he’s undefeated through two weeks.
*Top Photo: Sports Illustrated/Fan Nation