With the Las Vegas Raiders firing head coach Josh McDaniels, interim coach Antonio Pierce has a chance to prove himself and earn the full-time job. But what does he need to do to make that happen?
The Raiders made a surprising move firing McDaniels during his first season. Now Pierce gets an audition as interim head coach for the final 2 games. His future likely depends on how the team performs down the stretch.
Win Final 2 Games
- Pierce needs to show he can get the Raiders playing better and winning more games. Even a modest improvement could help his case.
- The Raiders were just 2-7 under McDaniels. If Pierce can get a few more wins it demonstrates he’s making progress.
Connect with the Locker Room
- Pierce must connect with the players and get full buy-in. The locker room seemed to tune out McDaniels.
- If Pierce can unite the team behind him, it shows strong leadership skills.
Fix the Offense
- The Raiders offense has struggled mightily, especially at scoring points. Pierce needs to get the unit playing better.
- This may require changes to scheme, playcalling, or personnel. Making effective adjustments would be a good sign.
Improve Team Discipline
- Penalties and mental mistakes have plagued the Raiders for years. Pierce must tighten up discipline.
- Cutting down on penalties, assignments errors, and turnovers would prove he can fix fundamental problems.
Develop Young Players
- Pierce should show he can develop Michael Mayer and other key Raiders like cornerback Jack Jones, who Antonio Pierce added to the roster after coaching him in both high school and college. Progress from young guys helps his case.
- Getting the most out of Maxx Crosby and other top players shows his strengths as a coach.
While a longshot, Pierce has a path to the full-time job. But it likely requires winning games, connecting with players, and showing clear progress in key areas. If the Raiders play significantly better over the final stretch of the season, Pierce could potentially remove the interim tag.
Stay tuned to see if Antonio Pierce can make a case to become the Raiders’ permanent head coach over the final 2 games.
