Recently, the owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, Mark Davis, expressed uncertainty about whether he will officially appoint interim head coach Antonio Pierce. Davis stated that the head-coaching search is “wide-open,” emphasizing his reluctance to make a commitment at this time. He mentioned receiving numerous calls from individuals recommending potential candidates for the job, and he plans to assess those options once the current season concludes.
Under Pierce’s interim leadership, following Josh McDaniels, the Raiders, with a 5-8 record, have won two out of five games and suffered a notable 3-0 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14. However, it’s acknowledged that not all challenges can be attributed to Pierce, as the team faces difficulties due to the absence of a franchise quarterback. Rookie Aidan O’Connell, starting all five games under Pierce, has thrown more interceptions (five) than touchdowns (three), with a below-average passer rating of 75.7.
The uncertainty persists regarding Pierce’s potential success as an NFL coach, and Davis, having dismissed five head coaches since January 2012, is cautious about taking another risk. Davis acknowledged his responsibility for the team’s decisions, expressing the hope that the current coaching staff can prove themselves, but he remains open to exploring other options.
If Pierce doesn’t secure the head coaching position, there’s a possibility that the Raiders may attempt to persuade Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh to return to the NFL. Davis had expressed interest in hiring Harbaugh in 2015, and there’s speculation that he might pursue him again.
In any case, it’s emphasized that the Raiders must make the right choice with their next coaching hire, considering their limited success in postseason appearances since 2013.