Antonio Pierce advocates for becoming the permanent coach of the Raiders, emphasizing, “My qualifications are evident in my on-field performance.”
Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce is openly expressing his desire to secure the permanent head coaching position for the franchise. Following a notable 20-14 upset victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, Pierce addressed questions about his candidacy for the Raiders’ head coaching vacancy.
Pierce emphasized that his qualifications are evident in his on-field performance, stating, “My resume is on the grass. What do you want? I can put up a fancy presentation; I’ve seen that before. I can put up stats, I can put up my resume, but the best thing that happened for me was an opportunity.” He stressed the value of the day-to-day commitment to improvement and growth, likening it to his approach as a player. Pierce aims to showcase positive developments in the team, aligning with Raiders owner Mark Davis’s vision for style of play, fan support, and a positive working environment.
The interim head coach took over after the firing of coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler, who led the team to a 3-5 start. Pierce, with a 4-3 record as interim head coach, including significant wins over the Chargers and the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs, has played a pivotal role in steering the team back on course.
Reflecting on his coaching journey, Pierce acknowledged that his first day as head coach was a significant challenge, but he is focused on daily improvement. The Raiders’ recent successes, combined with a positive team atmosphere, have garnered support from players and analysts. Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan, who was teammates with Pierce, praised his coaching abilities, expressing a desire to see Pierce given the opportunity to coach the Raiders on a permanent basis. Strahan highlighted Pierce’s impact on team motivation and leadership, both in their time with the Giants and in his current role with the Raiders.
