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5 things to know about the Raiders’ new interim head coach Antonio Pierce
Pierce has taken over after the Raiders head coach and general manager were fired before last Sunday’s game against the Giants
By Brendan Brightman • Published November 6, 2023
Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce has championship pedigree. Here are five things to know about the Super Bowl champion.
The Las Vegas Raiders are undefeated with former linebacker Antonio Pierce as their interim head coach. It’s only been one game, but still, it could be worse.
Pierce, who served as the linebackers coach under the recently fired Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels, was a surprise choice to take control of the talented team from Sin City.
But apparently Pierce won over the locker room just before McDaniels was canned by telling them the 2007 Giants had the mindset they were going to win every game. And, of course, the 2007 Giants went on to defeat the undefeated New England Patriots, who had McDaniels as their offensive coordinator, in the Super Bowl.
Here are five things you didn’t know about Antonio Pierce:
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Antonio Pierce is from California
Pierce was born in Long Beach, Calif. and attended Paramount High School in Paramount, Calif.
Antonio Pierce went undrafted
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Pierce played college football at the Unversity of Arizona, but went undrafted when he entered the NFL due to many scouts believing he was undersized.
Given that Pierce played nine seasons in the NFL, earning one Super Bowl ring and one Pro Bowl appearance in the process, you could say he proved them wrong.
Antonio Pierce started in Washington
Pierce was signed as an undrafted rookie in 2001 by Washington, where he ended up playing his first four seasons with them before joining the Giants.
Antonio Pierce had nearly 700 tackles in his career
Following Pierce’s last season in 2009, he ended his career with 691 tackles, with 535 of them being solo tackles. He also had 9 sacks and 7 interceptions.
Antonio Pierce has been a head coach before
Before his current tenure with the Raiders, Pierce had worked as the head coach for Long Beach Poly High School and as the linebackers coach and defensive coordinator at Arizona State University.
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Podcast: Jimmy G, Disrespect of AP, NFL Expanding and So Much More
Pierce Opens Up on Becoming Permanent Coach
Las Vegas Raiders Coach Antonio Pierce describes what he felt when he became the full-time head coach of the Silver and Black.
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Las Vegas Raiders
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
The Las Vegas Raiders have their permanent head coach, Antonio Pierce.
The Raiders made it official on Jan. 19 that Pierce’s interim tag would be removed, and he would be the full-time head coach. Pierce took over midseason in 2023 and had a 5-4 record in the second half of the season.
Pierce’s coaching style inspired players and endeared fans. It seemed like a no-brainer for owner Mark Davis, and Davis made the call that so many in Raider Nation were hoping he would.
Pierce was thankful to become the head coach of the Raiders. He described when he found out he got the job on the latest episode of defensive end Maxx Crosby’s podcast, “The Rush with Maxx Crosby.”
The Las Vegas Raiders have their permanent head coach of the future in Antonio Pierce, who is thankful for the job.
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
“I walked outside, looked up to the sky, and I was just thankful,” Pierce said. “I’m umbled, honored, I know I’ve said that before, but on some real s—. This is real, man.”
Pierce also reflected on where he came from and gave a nod to Crosby’s personality.
“A former player, inner-city dude from the bottom, get an opportunity to come to the organization as a linebacker coach,” Pierce said. “One of the first guys to introduce himself to me when I walked in the building was Maxx. First f—ing day. Out the gate. I’m like: ‘This dude is different.’ I’ve been around some dudes now, but he’s different.”
Pierce credits Crosby’s character and leadership as reasons the culture became so strong.
“We’ve had countless hours and conversations about everything,” Pierce said. “Life, football, on the field, off the field, family, personal, money, leadership, championships, and then that carried out through our whole team.”
Pierce revealed what he told Davis and joked about his preparedness.
“When that opportunity came, I was like, ‘What’s up? I’m ready,’” Pierce said. “What I told Mark was: ‘Are you ready?’ Because I don’t think he knew what he was about to get in. I was born ready. I came early; five days, to be exact.”
Crosby has always spoken highly of Pierce and appears excited that he will lead them in a permanent role. He praised the honesty and transparency of Pierce’s personality.
“I stood on the table for him; all the guys stood on the table for him because what you see is what you get,” Crosby said. “That’s ultimate respect.”
The entire podcast episode can be found here.
From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.
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