Antonio Pierce gave a rousing speech as sat down in front of reporters as an NFL head coach for the first time.
The former linebacker, a former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, has been appointed as the interim head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders in the wake of Josh McDaniels’ firing on Wednesday morning and will hope to impress owner Mark Davis enough to get the job on a permanent basis.
The 45-year-old has been with the team since 2022 as a linebackers coach. He had his first press conference on Wednesday and said he wants to put a team out there that will make fans proud.
“The Raider pride. The commitment to excellence. And making sure our alumni, our fans, and Raider Nation are proud of what they see on the field,” he said. “We’re tired of losing. It’s not a good feeling. We’re a production-based business.”
The Raiders have also fired offensive coordinator Mick Lombardi but Pierce has assured fans that everyone who remains is committed to helping the Raiders succeed.
“We’re on the same page,” he added. “We had a great team meeting.”
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Pierce will act as HC for the Raiders’ next nine games. Davis has said he will undertake a thorough search for a permanent head coach at the end of the season.
