The spark Antonio Pierce showed as interim head coach for the Las Vegas Raiders last season has faded. After finishing 2023 with a 5-4 record, he’s now struggling with a 2-7 start this season.
Appointing Pierce as the full-time head coach was a bold choice, given he had only two years of NFL coaching experience, but the gamble isn’t paying off—it’s looking increasingly likely that he could be gone after just one season.
Former Raiders quarterback and MVP Rich Gannon seems to share that view. On “VSiN Live,” Gannon commented, “At some point, you have to look at the entire operation. I’m hoping that happens by season’s end. I can’t imagine Antonio Pierce will be back next year.”
Gannon, who was the Raiders’ starting quarterback for six seasons, understands the organization well. Yet, there’s no certainty that owner Mark Davis will part ways with Pierce, especially since Davis has already cycled through four coaches since 2021. Pierce’s future may depend on how much worse the season gets.
Is Mark Davis Getting Good Advice?
Davis openly admits that he doesn’t have extensive knowledge of football, having never played, coached, or worked in a front office role. Nevertheless, he has taken the lead in hiring head coaches for the Raiders, with the exception of Dennis Allen.
Gannon raises concerns about who might be advising Davis, suggesting this could be why he’s struggled with consistently poor head coaching decisions.
“I don’t know who he is listening to,” Gannon commented. “Mark has had a lot of people in his ears over the years. I’m not sure if he’s getting the right advice.”
Now that Tom Brady is a minority owner of the Raiders, Davis may turn to him for guidance. Brady’s fierce competitiveness makes it unlikely he’ll watch passively if the franchise continues down the wrong path.
What Will It Take for Antonio Pierce to Get Fired?
The Raiders are struggling under Pierce’s leadership right now. He’s already let go of much of the offensive coaching staff he brought in less than a year ago, which raises concerns about his ability to build a reliable coaching team.
Now, with Brady involved, Pierce’s situation could get tougher. Brady has no ties to Pierce and might influence Davis to consider a more experienced coach.
Even so, Pierce still has a chance to secure his position. With eight games left, winning at least three could help him keep his job. However, if Las Vegas loses the rest of the season, it’s unlikely Pierce will get another opportunity.
While the Raiders need stability at head coach, they also can’t stick with someone who appears overwhelmed simply to avoid constant turnover.
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