Raiders remove interim tag, hire Antonio Pierce as head coach

Las Vegas Raiders players pushed for Antonio Pierce to be full-time head coach. On Friday, he officially got the gig.

The Las Vegas Raiders have officially announced Antonio Pierce as their new full-time head coach, following his successful stint as the interim coach during the midseason. This decision comes after the players lobbied for Pierce to take on the role permanently. The Raiders went 5-4 under his watch and 8-9 overall, with many players and fans expressing their support for him.

Pierce, a former player who has won a Super Bowl and is known for his leadership, has been praised for his ability to bring the team together and achieve success in a short amount of time. He now faces the challenge of restoring a championship pedigree to a franchise that has struggled in recent years.

The hiring process was subject to NFL rules, with owner Mark Davis required to interview at least two external minority and/or female candidates in person to satisfy the Rooney rule. This led to interviews with former Buffalo defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and former New Orleans Saints co-defensive coordinator Kris Richard. The Raiders are the only NFL team with a Black coach, general manager, and president, with the interim GM, Champ Kelly, also being considered for the full-time position.

As Pierce takes on his new role, he will have to make important decisions regarding his coaching staff and personnel issues, including the quarterback situation and the future of running back Josh Jacobs. Additionally, the Raiders will have the 13th pick in the upcoming draft, which will impact their decisions moving forward.

Overall, Pierce's appointment as head coach marks a significant moment for the Raiders, and fans are hopeful that he will lead the team to success in the future.