Las Vegas—Pierce, who served as the Raiders’ linebackers coach in 2022, assumed the role of interim head coach in Week 9 of the previous season. This transition occurred after owner Mark Davis dismissed head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler amid a 3-5 start.

Quickly earning the support of both players and fans, Pierce led the Raiders to a 5-4 record for the remainder of the season. Reports indicated widespread backing for Pierce in the Raiders’ locker room for the permanent head coaching position. Despite rumors of Davis considering bigger names like Jim Harbaugh, star defensive end Maxx Crosby publicly advocated for #HireAP (referring to Pierce) on social media.

Crosby, a two-time second-team All-Pro, even hinted at a potential trade request if Pierce wasn’t appointed as the full-time coach, expressing this sentiment on his podcast. Recent developments suggest an increasing likelihood of Pierce securing the full-time role. The Raiders interviewed only two external candidates—Leslie Frazier and Kris Richard—meeting the NFL’s Rooney Rule minimum, despite a deep pool of coaching candidates. Notably, neither Frazier nor Richard coached in the NFL in 2023.

Former Raiders defensive lineman Richard Seymour’s visible support for Pierce at a Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade added intrigue to the coaching search. Seymour, a Hall of Famer, confirmed his involvement in the process on social media. The Raiders are now deliberating between interim general manager Champ Kelly and Colts assistant general manager Ed Dodds to lead the front office.

FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd reported a potential move to target USC assistant and former Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury for the offensive coordinator role under Pierce. Pierce’s own journey includes a nine-year NFL playing career, a Super Bowl win with the Giants in 2007, and subsequent coaching stints, including a role at Arizona State before joining the Raiders.

AP’s tenure with the Raiders took an interesting turn when, amid an NCAA investigation into recruiting violations at Arizona State, he joined the coaching staff after McDaniels’ arrival.

Notably, a confrontation between Pierce and McDaniels occurred just before McDaniels’ firing, stemming from Pierce referencing the 2008 Giants-Patriots Super Bowl in a speech to Raiders players, as reported by FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer.

Congratulations AP! For everything Raiders and NFL, follow @vinquezada1 on X.

#NFL #RaiderNation #HireAP

@vinquezada1

By Vincent Quezada

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