Raiders hiring Antonio Pierce as full-time head coach

The Las Vegas Raiders’ search for a new head coach is over. In the end, though, it might not have been much of a search at all, as they promote the man whom so many wanted to get the job in the first place.

“Raiders are working to finalize a deal to hire Antonio Pierce as their head coach, per sources,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Friday. “Raiders made Pierce their interim HC on Halloween night and now are closing in on making it a full-time job. Players who campaigned for Pierce soon are expected to be happy.”

This decision always seemed inevitable for owner Mark Davis, especially after Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reported that Pierce’s agent was present in the team’s facility, about an hour before the big news broke.

Star pass rusher Maxx Crosby was arguably been the most vocal on the roster in his support of Antonio Pierce, which left many pondering his potential response if the former linebacker had not been awarded the position. Living in fear of a locker room revolt is not the way to run a franchise, but one also cannot underestimate the value of entering a new season with high morale.

Besides, it’s not as if Pierce only won a popularity contest. He earned the respect of the team and fans alike by getting better results on the field.