The Las Vegas Raiders are in the hunt for a new head coach but they won’t have to look very far as the man they placed in the interim position near the season’s midpoint has emerged as a viable candidate.
As ESPN’s Adam Schefter puts it, Pierce is very likely to land the job permanently, having gone 5-4 since he replaced Josh McDaniels.
“I would be blown away if Antonio weren’t the pick,” Schefter wrote, quoting a source.
The Raiders will have to interview other candidates for formality’s sake, with Jim Harbaugh also thought to be a target. However, Pierce has the full support of the locker room.
“It’s obviously who I wanted and that’s my vote, and I’ve been vocal about that,” wide receiver Davante Adams told reporters earlier this month.
“That’s basically how the whole locker room feels and with good reason. He’s come in and done a great job. He’s continued to win us over. It’s not just the comfortable thing. I think having AP here will be good for this organization. He kind of embodies what it means to be a Raider.”
Defensive end Maxx Crosby also took to social media to urge the Raiders to hire Pierce after reports revealed the Tennessee Titans are looking to interview Pierce for their own coaching vacancy.
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Pierce, who was a linebackers coach with the team before his move up, has certainly done his prospects no harm. But we’ll just have to wait and see if the Raiders decide to appease their players or bring in a big name.
