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Changes could come to Raiders if Antonio Pierce isn't named HC

Antonio Pierce. Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Major changes could come to Raiders if Antonio Pierce isn't named head coach

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 1/13/24

If it were up to Raiders players, Antonio Pierce would be their next head coach. If ownership views things differently, Pierce will be the first of several dominoes to fall in Las Vegas this offseason.

On Saturday morning, NFL insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport reported edge Maxx Crosby will request a trade if the organization doesn't remove the interim tag from Pierce's title.

The #Raiders haven’t conducted any head-coaching interviews. But there is mounting pressure on owner Mark Davis to retain interim coach Antonio Pierce -- including from the locker room, with All-Pro edge rusher Maxx Crosby likely to request a trade if Pierce isn't retained. https://t.co/qFMcHPMH5u
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 13, 2024

The Jim Harbaugh intrigue is increasing:
— Sources say the #Michigan coach plans to meet with the #Chargers this week.
— Maxx Crosby will explore a trade request if Antonio Pierce isn’t retained.
— Michigan is fighting back.

Story with @TomPelissero:https://t.co/vEn1OhdAHu
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 13, 2024

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Pierce has emerged as "the leading candidate" for the Raiders' head-coaching job.

Interim coach Antonio Pierce has emerged as the leading candidate to become the full-time head coach in Las Vegas, with the support of key players there, per league sources. There will be other options for Raiders’ owner Mark Davis to consider, but as one source said, “I would be… pic.twitter.com/KhLmROeGAJ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 13, 2024

Crosby is the Raiders' best defensive player and one of the league's top edge-defenders. Per Pro Football Focus, he had 94 total pressures in 2023, the fourth most in the league. He also ranked first among edge-rushers in ESPN's run-stop win-rate rankings.

Pierce won over the team and fans as he successfully flipped a season that was headed south under former head coach Josh McDaniels.
During Weeks 1-8 with McDaniels, the Raiders were 3-5, being outscored by 61 points. With Pierce as interim head coach from Weeks 9-18, Las Vegas went 5-4 and outscored opponents by 62 points.

The Raiders scored a franchise-record 63 points in Week 15 against the Chargers and won in Arrowhead against the Chiefs for just the second time since 2013 the following week.

Davis' choice appears obvious. Pierce would be a slam-dunk hire, but he isn't alone in the Raiders' search. According to Pelissero and Rapoport, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is also being considered. Going that route would repeat the franchise's mistake during its last coaching search.

In 2021, interim head coach Rich Bisaccia went 7-5 following Jon Gruden's in-season firing but wasn't retained despite leading the Raiders to the postseason for only the second time since the 2003 season.
Instead, Las Vegas hired McDaniels, who went 9-16 in less than two seasons. Harbaugh has a much better track record of success, so chances are he'll win wherever he goes. But Pierce has earned the right to be the organization's next head coach.

It's the right choice; Crosby's line in the sand should make it the easy one, too.

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