Now that Antonio Pierce is the Las Vegas Raiders’ official full-time head coach, he has quickly followed in the traditions of famous coaches like as Bill Belichick and Mike Shanahan by appointing a moderately controversial but common staff.
Antonio Pierce was put in a difficult situation this season when he was promoted from Raiders linebackers coach to head coach after Josh McDaniels was fired. Despite the odds being stacked against him, the 45-year-old persevered and impressed.
The club finished 5-4 and had some key wins late in the season over division opponents. The good finish, combined with the locker room’s and fans’ profound affection for him, helped Pierce transition from interim to full-time head coach in January.
Las Vegas Raiders add Antonio Pierce’s son to coaching staff
Now that he has complete control over his staff, the Las Vegas head coach has already jumped headfirst into a contentious staff-building tradition. Raiders reporter Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported on Wednesday that Pierce has hired his son, DeAndre Pierce, as one of his new assistant offensive coaches.
“DeAndre Pierce joins the Raiders from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he served as defensive coach in 2023. He played for his father in high school at Long Beach Poly and Arizona State, where he was the Sun Devils’ defensive coordinator from 2020 to 2022. Bonsignore stated, “He played defensive back at Arizona State.”
Related: Las Vegas Raiders linked to top 2024 NFL Draft QB prospect, possible mutual interest.
In just two years, the younger Pierce will progress from undrafted football player to assistant coach for the Las Vegas Raiders. It’s great to have people — especially parents — in top positions. This adds to the NFL’s lengthy history of nepotism.
Nepo baby is slang for children who have profited from prominent occupations and positions as a result of nepotism in organizations or businesses.
Head coaches Bill Belichick, Pete Carroll, and Mike Shanahan are among the league’s 79 father-son coaching partnerships.
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Stanford Routt on What Raiders Need to Do to Hang with the Tough AFC West
Antonio Pierce has taken over as coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, and a new era awaits them in the 2024 season. While everyone believes the team has improved, the rest of the AFC West has also improved.
Stanford Routt of Bleav in Raiders talked about the tough competition Las Vegas faces and what they’ll need to do in the offseason to compete with the rest of the division.
“Obviously, Antonio Pierce having the temporary tag removed from his back. He is now the head coach moving forward, and you can see that this club has the components in place. They still have a few more to add. I believe we need to acquire another playmaker on the edge rusher, another for the linebackers, and one more on the back end.
via Stanford Routt and Bleav in Raiders.
The entire NFL world was thrilled when Pierce was named head coach of the Raiders, but that won’t mean much if he can’t win big with the team. He will face the Chiefs, who have won two Super Bowls in a row, the new Jim Harbaugh-led Chargers, and Sean Payton and the Broncos.
“Now Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert are going to the AFC West. You got Sean Payton back for another year. Who knows who will play quarterback for the Denver Broncos? And as we all know, the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl again.”
via Stanford Routt and Bleav in Raiders.
The AFC West might become one of the hardest divisions in 2024, and the Raiders must ensure they can compete. The good news is that Pierce’s coaching approach suits the team’s toughness, thus Las Vegas is expected to return to the playoffs. The hope is that Pierce’s complete season will produce a very different outcome.
