The Las Vegas Raiders have fired head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler.
The firings come after the teams most recent loss against Detroit, losing 26-14 on Monday night.
McDaniels and Ziegler were hired in 2021, a year after reaching the playoffs. The team was expected to take that next step, instead they were 6-11 in 2022 and are currently sitting at 3-5 in 2023. This is a step down from McDaniels stint in Denver back in 2009-10, where he went 11-17 before being fired halfway through his second season.
McDaniels and Ziegler were hired for their roles during the reign of the New England Patriots in the mid to late 2010’s. McDaniels offensive system had a lot of success, and owner Mark Davis hoped that success would translate in Las Vegas. Ziegler played a big role in building those super bowl teams in New England. Instead what happened was that the Raiders have had some terrible performances under this regime, and now the team will look to move in a different direction.
The Raiders announced that linebackers coach Antonio Pierce will take over as the interim head coach and the team’s assistant general manager Champ Kelly will serve as the interim GM.
The Raiders decided to move on from nine-year starter Derek Carr this offseason, and signed former San Francisco 49er Jimmy Garoppolo to a three-year, $72.75 million contract back in March. Garoppolo was with McDaniels in New England. Up to this point, Garoppolo has led the Raiders to being the No. 31 offense in the league, with a league worst in rushing yards per game (70) and a No. 30 points per game (15.8) ranking. This is with running back Josh Jacobs and wide receiver Davante Adams, who are both All-Pros.
Pierce’s first move as a head coach has been to bench Garoppolo, and start fourth-round rookie Aidan O’Connell in the teams next game. O’Connell replaced an injured Garoppolo in two games this season, losing to the Los Angeles Chargers 24-17, and the Chicago Bears 30-12. O’Connell up to this point has thrown for 313 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. He also has rushed for three yards and a touchdown.
Pierce will make his head coaching debut this Sunday vs the New York Giants, where he won a Super Bowl as a player in 2007.
